“If it’s important to you, you will find a way. If not, you will find an excuse.”

I posted this quote on Monday’s Motivation on Instagram with a photo of my award from Ironman Mont Tremblant, where I qualified in 2017 for the Ironman World Championship.

This quote hit home as I looked at my Training Peaks the last month. In my mind, I felt like I wasn’t doing well because of the plantar fasciitis that I am dealing with. The previous month, I pulled back on three workouts due to my PF. ONLY three!!! I was able to swim, bike and strength train at SoulFit in San Antonio and even run a bit!

Why? My health is important to me. My training for IM70.3 Texas is essential to me. Getting back to the Ironman World Championship is IMPORTANT to me. Yes, I said it.

I am going to be raw and real here. Being a coach, as of recent, I have heard a #shitton of excuses. And you may be thinking, “I don’t have any excuses” and something I think that I don’t have excuses either, but just the other night, I was going back and forth of heading to LifeTime Fitness for a swim.

I started to do some research, and I realized that there are some very common “excuses” that can limit your success to be a triathlete, runner, business owner, etc. Being successful isn’t automatic. It requires concentrated effort and action.

Many of us have a series of excuses that we can pull out of a hat at a moment’s notice. There’s always one that seems to fit the bill perfectly. This is mainly done to protect ourselves and to justify our current circumstances.

Are any of these excuses holding you back from success?

1.    “I don’t know how.”

This common excuse permits you not even to try. However, this excuse doesn’t hold water. At no time in the history of humankind has there been so much information available. Want to start a charity? There are hundreds of books on the subject. Need to lose 100 lbs? There are thousands of resources available. Want to do a triathlon? Grab my Triathlon Bundle TODAY!

One of the best ways to figure out how to do something is to find a qualified mentor. Another useful option is to try and then adjust your approach based on your results.

2.    “I’m afraid.”

This is perhaps the most socially acceptable answer. Who hasn’t been afraid? But there is very little to fear in our modern times legitimately. In most circumstances, you’re not in danger of being eaten by a lion or falling off a cliff.

Most of our fears are socially based and have no real consequences. Being afraid isn’t a valid excuse 99% of the time.

Would you rather be successful or protect your ego?

3.    “I don’t have enough time.”

Do you believe this? Nearly all of us waste time on activities that provide no real value, including watching TV, internet surfing, and a host of other time wasters.

You know in your heart you could make the time for something that was truly important to you.

4.    “I don’t have enough money.”

This is another common excuse, but there is usually a way to work around a lack of financial resources. For example, if you’d like to do a sprint triathlon, here is the break down:

1. Grab my Triathlon Bundle Plan HERE
2. Find a decent pair of running shoes
3. Borrow someone’s bike, rent a bike or use a mountain bike. It doesn’t have to be fancy! It’s your first race!
4. Buy goggles for only $10, swimsuit for $50 and BAM, you are off to a good start!

5.    “It’s too late for me.”

Is it too late? A person climbed Mount Everest in his 80’s. People have gone back to medical school in their 60’s. I got my Masters Degree at 40 years old! What would you like to do?

Getting a late start might be less convenient and more challenging, but there’s nothing wrong with that. It means that you’ll only take on the challenges that are important to you. That could be a good thing.

To be fair, there are a few things that require an earlier start than others. You’re not likely to play in the NBA if you take up basketball in your 30’s. But you could be a coach or work in the front office.

6.    “It’s too hard.”

Some endeavors are indeed more competitive than others. But claiming that something is “too hard” is just another way of admitting that you’re afraid.

The truth is that people with limited resources and talent can still be hugely successful.

We tend to imagine the competition is much more robust than it is. The average person doesn’t have a lot of control over himself/herself. They are not truly committed. Those with motivation and stamina are the ones who succeed.

People that are successful regularly tend to have the fewest excuses. How could it be any other way? Those with excuses are able to justify not taking action. However, no work equals no results. So put aside your excuses and go after what you truly want. You’ll be glad you did! I know I did. I let go of the fears, the unknown, the failures and finally allowed myself to be ME and do it for ME. Not ANYONE else!

Interested in working with me? Sweet, click HERE to fill out your form, and let’s get you finding that better self!