I bet you’re reading this based on the title getting your attention.  But, really-do you know the #1 thing you’re doing that’s fatal to your success? Keep reading to find out…

I actually did a Live Facebook video on this very subject, because I do believe it’s what is holding a lot of people back.  I see it almost every day in the people on social media, or even from those I coach and mentor.

I asked my audience; How many people:

• would like to double their income?
• would like to lose weight?
• would love to get out of debt?
• long for financial independence?
• or even just want more time?

Now, I’m sure you said yes, to at least one, or maybe even more, which is great!  These are all great goals that I think the majority of the population has.  In fact, I’m sure you could come up with even more.  We all want to make more money, spend more time with our families, be healthy and fit, and achieve financial independence!

Someday

The problem is, 80% of the population is on what Brian Tracy calls “Someday Island”.  I know, we’ve all been there from time to time, but it’s the thought that will do things…someday…and on “someday” island, everyone is surrounded by the same people, and  what do you think the topic is on this island?  EXCUSES!!

I hear them everyday…EXCUSES!  I call it excus-itis, which is extremely fatal to your success, really in anything in life. I get it, I do, and I hear it all of the time, “But you don’t understand!” Truth is, I DO understand, I’ve been there, but I also get frustrated because I see  potential in others and know that they are capable of doing great things if they would just STOP blaming others and hiding behind excuses.

What are some of the things that you use as a reason why you are on “Someday Island?

• You had a messed up up childhood
• didn’t have a good education
• you don’t have any money
• everyone is critical of me
• my spouse isn’t supportive
• no one appreciates me
• the economy…

I’m sure you can fill in a few more, but whatever it is, I’m sure I’ve heard it!

Still not convinced?  I love this saying “If it’s to be, it’s up to me!”  Here’s another one; “Losers make excuses, winners make progress.” Ask yourself this-Is there ANYONE else who has my same excuse that is successful anyway?

Straighten your crown

I posted this on Facebook, which is really what prompted my live broadcast, as well as this article, and honestly, this isn’t the first time I’ve written about this.  Check out my article “Do You Have A Case of BUSY-ITIS?”

We all have and continue to go through tough times, and they can either make you bitter or make you BETTER. It’s YOUR choice. Yes, things happen to us that are completely out of our control, but YOU decide how you respond to it. Blaming is the path of least resistance and so many times people don’t even realize they are doing it…For the next week, I want to encourage you to be aware of how many times you make excuses or blame something, or someone else for why you can’t do something. How often do you complain? Are you a victim? Your ability & willingness to discipline yourself to accept personal responsibility for your life are essential to happiness, health, success, achievement & personal growth. Don’t be a victim…

I challenged my audience after posting this picture, to go at least a week without making any excuses.  I believe that if you’re aware of it, you actually can realize how often you make excuses.  And it’s exercise.  The more you practice, the better you’ll get!  A week turns into two weeks, then a month, and then before you know it, it’s been 90 days!

No more excuses, just STOP, don’t do it!

Imagine if you would put as much energy into their goals as you did your excuses, you would really surprise yourself. Now, I will be the first to admit, that this is something that I had to learn.  I used to have a victim mentality, which really is a form of excus-itis.  Have you ever met a “victim” that is successful?  But, what I also want you to realize is, very few people start out with advantages.  Almost all of the highly successful people I know, started with NOTHING.  They worked hard and created their own success.

Self-Discipline

Are you hungry for more? Then you have to take control of yourself! Self discipline is absolutely necessary! Self discipline is the ability to do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not. Self discipline is the key to personal greatness.

You have to take control of yourself which is self-mastery. Success is only possible when you can master your own emotions, appetites, and inclinations. Which leads us also to self-control.  Your ability to control yourself and your actions, control what you say and do, and ensure that your behaviors are consistent with your long term goals and objectives is the mark of a superior person.

You also have to have self-denial.  This requires that you deny yourself the easy pleasures, the temptations that lead so many people astray, and instead discipline yourself to do only those things that you know are rightful the long term and appropriate for the moment. I also call this stepping out of your comfort zone.  So many times when things are uncomfortable, it’s human nature to put them off and stay where it’s comfortable.

Self-discipline requires delayed gratification, the ability to put off satisfaction in the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term.  This is hard for so many because most are wired for instant gratification.  I see so many give up before right before they see any results.

Now what?

You have to be willing to take daily steps to work on your mind.  You have to be willing to learn new things, and new ways of thinking and looking at things.  I teach that this has to be done almost daily. Some of the things that I do are:

1. Listen to audios, podcasts or videos
   Anything that is inspiring or motivational.  I like to do this while I’m getting ready in the morning.
2. Read self development books
   There are so many great books out there! I love anything by Brian Tracy, Grant Cardone, Simon Sinek Robert Kiyosaki, Tony Robbins or even Rachel Hollis to name a few.
3. Focus on your goals
   I suggest you have a written goal statement that you read daily.  I also LOVE dream boards.
4. Affirmations
   Verbalize daily affirmations.  “I am” is a great way to start these.  I like to say the opposite of what I am, to convince myself that I am that,  An example would be: I am a great public speaker!
5. Make lists
   We are all busy, and I find that when I make a list of tasks I want to get done, I get more done.  I also find that the busier I am, the more I get done.
6. FInd a tribe
   Find a group of people that encourage you!  We all deserve to have people in our lives that push us to do more, to go after our dreams.
7. Just do it!
   Get in the habit of taking action within 5 seconds, before you can talk yourself out of it!  Just do it!

Just try it, what do you have to lose?