So What's Your Excuse?

by Maria Marsala

Summary: Want to be happier? Start to remove all the excuses you use... and gain more time and energy too!

I'm not sure what the history of "excuses" is, except to know that a majority of the time excuses equal some sort of self-dishonesty.

They're part of what we thought we "should do" vs. being a "must do"! Excuses come from us not being able to take our own "no's". They're what we say to people so that we "don't hurt their feelings". Excuses are what we say so that others don't hurt us. Excuses are part of what we're tolerating in our life (that which draws out our energy and squashes it)!

Excuses come back to haunt us unless we look at them as gifts from clients or friends or ourselves. Have you ever received an excuse for "something" and thought -- Is that person kidding with that excuse? Why didn't they just say NO? OH! ... I am doing the same thing to "so and so".

Say NO!!! Sometimes saying "NO" to someone means saying "YES" to someone even more important -- YOU!

What can you do when you give someone a "no" that they don't accept? Take the time to think about what type of answers you can give and things you can do to protect your boundaries so that you can raise your standards. Check out these Top Ten Lists about boundaries. They are just wonderful! "Things to say pleasantly when people attempt to invade your boundaries" by Coach Diana Robinson, Ph.D. www.topten.org/public/BG/BG1.html and another wonderful Top Ten by Coach Dennis Tesdell www.topten.org/public/BN/BN1.html

Integrity Lesson
This month, write down all the excuses you hear yourself giving others and giving yourself. Look for the patterns. Are you not setting boundaries? Are you setting boundaries and the person isn't listening? Are you setting boundaries and you're not enforcing those boundaries? Or what other patterns do you see.

And remember: Yes, No and Maybe are all complete sentences.

©2007 Maria Marsala, former Wall Street Fortune 200 executive, business strategist, author and speaker. As founder of Elevating Your Business, Maria helps business owners and independent service professionals work smarter and earn more. Learn more and receive free business tools at ElevatingYourBusiness.com

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

• You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Internet Veteran, Planning Coach and Operations Consultant, Maria Marsala has been publishing MORE BUSINESS weekly ezine since 1999. If you're ready to make more money, kick-start your markeitng and live a high quality life, get yoru FREE tips now at www.ElevatingYourBusiness.com
• Just request permission to place this article in your newsletter, magazine, or on your web site.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE DURING A PAID ENGAGEMENT?

• You cannot use our articles in your ebook, to teach a class, or during a speaking event, without our written permission, period.