Excuses are one of those traps that it can be easy to fall into. After all, we want to do the “right” thing and make things happen, but it just is not always possible. Things come up. We feel guilty or pressured or stressed and the next thing we know, it feels as though we need to justify why we did not get something done or did not do what was expected of us. Whether we are making excuses to cover up or we are making excuses to ourselves, it keeps us from facing reality and having a healthy attitude about things.
The truth is, we are not going to be so perfect that we get everything done and always meet everyone’s expectations. If a child gets sick and we do not get the report finished, we can explain our circumstance without making excuses. A simple explanation is all that is necessary, as well as our plan for how to fix things or catch up. When we offer excuses, it implies that we are feeling guilty and guilt is a heavy load to be carrying around. Do the best that you can and then accept that it will not be perfect. You do not have to make excuses for imperfection.
On the other side of the “excuses” coin is when we use excuses as a way to keep OURSELVES from moving forward: “I cannot look for a job today because it is just too hot (or wet or cold, etc.);” or “I’m too tired as a single parent to cook meals for my kids.” These excuses are simply the stories we tell ourselves so that we do not have to rise to meet the challenges of the occasion and this is not healthy or productive. These excuses really do keep us from being and doing our best.