How to Master Self Discipline & Ditch Excuses for Good
Chances are, the thing you want to do least is probably the thing you need to do most. - Jill Birth
If there is an excuse out there for not being able to release weight, believe me, I’ve heard it. In fact, I have probably even used it myself! Throughout most of my life, I tried everything to “lose” weight, taking “before” pictures twenty-four different times, each time saying to myself, “This time I’ll do it.” I failed every time until I learned to kick my excuses to the curb.
At some point during my twenty three failed attempts at weight loss and health transformation, I learned that a positive mindset, planning and preparation, consistency, setting achievable goals, and recognizing my own self-sabotage was crucial to overcoming my excuses, so I did.
And if you want to live your dreams, you’re going to need to do the same, so let’s just get those excuses out of the way, okay?
Prepare and Plan for Success
With some advanced planning and preparation, it is possible to make healthier choices and stick to your goals. This step needs to occur BEFORE the excuses come on. So right after setting your goal, while you’re still in that driven, elated state, take a moment to think “what are some things that might cause me to fall back on this goal? What might stand in my way? What excuses might I try to make?” By being proactive about potential roadblocks you might encounter, you are able to plan and prepare for how you can overcome them when they arise.
Reminding yourself of your long-term objectives can help you stay committed and resist the temptation to give in to unhealthy habits. Write down your goal and why it matters to you, and keep it somewhere visible, somewhere where you will see it everyday. Revisiting your motivations regularly can keep you on track.
When excuses do surface, ask yourself, “What is [insert your goal] really worth to me? Would I rather [achieve my goal] or [do this thing that’s distracting/tempting me]?” You’ll be surprised by how strong you can be when you keep your goals at the top of your mind!
Take Immediate, Messy Action
How many times have you said “I’ll start again on Monday” after a big weekend of eating referencing that new diet you promised yourself you’d stick to? I call this “waiting for Magical Monday.” Procrastination is a sneaky method of excuses. You convince yourself that today is already a wash, and tomorrow is a fresh slate. Until tomorrow comes around and the same exact thing happens. Before you know it, you’re trapped in the nasty cycle of your own excuses.
So to ditch your excuses for good, you'll need to start taking action toward your goals immediately, regardless of the day or timing! Consistent effort, even if it starts with small steps, is more important than waiting for an ideal moment.
Learn to Recognize Internal Sabotage
You know those thoughts in your head that say things like “You’re never going to lose that weight, this is just who you are.” “Who do you think you are that people want to hear what you have to say? You don’t have anything valuable to say.” “You could never be a leader, who are you to make a difference.”
We have ALL experienced negative thoughts that undermine our self-confidence and goals at some point or another, I know I’ve had my fair share of them. Recognizing and acknowledging these self-doubting thoughts can help differentiate them from genuine facts and empower you to overcome self-sabotage.
The truth is, you’ll never truly get rid of them, once you get rid of your excuses, new ones are going to sneak their way in. I don’t say that to discourage you, only to help you realize that this step is a daily practice. It’s a muscle you’ll need to flex regularly. But, after a while it will get easier and easier to silence them.
So, what do you do to counteract internal sabotage? Name it. Call it out. Identify it (out loud if you’re really brave) as a lie only meant to trip you up. When you identify those thoughts, you reclaim your self discipline. Remember, these sabotaging thoughts become even louder and more common the closer you get to transformation. So when these thoughts come, know that it isn’t you failing – it’s you getting even closer to something incredible.
Next Steps
Write down every excuse you’ve ever made for why you haven’t released your weight or gotten that promotion or achieved whatever goal you’re pursuing. Then write down the reasons why this excuse doesn’t make sense—even if you have to ask friends and trusted family members to help you determine the flaws in your own reasons for hanging onto those extra pounds that aren’t just weighing you down physically, they are weighing you down emotionally, too!
Be honest. You’re worth it.
Other Helpful Resources
If you enjoyed these tips, this is just a fraction of what I cover in my book Finding the Voice Inside You. Download a free digital copy here for more.
In case this is the first time we’re connecting, I’m Jill, an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and leader inspiring other women to live out their God given purpose by helping them overcome physical, mental, and financial hardships. If you liked this blog post and want more where that came from, here are a few ways we can work together:
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