“Should I go? It’s too much work. I can’t do it. No, I can’t.” 

The list goes on and on. There are many instances in life where we all make excuses: whether it be trying to hide something, when we are at a loss for words, or even when we are just defending ourselves. But do we ever stop to take a moment and realize why we make these excuses, and if there is a reason to do so at all?

When looking back on all the times you might have made an excuse, no matter how big or small, do you remember why you made the excuse to begin with? It is a thought many choose to ignore or even forget to consider, especially since the reason is almost always superfluous. Other times, the excuses we make are just words said spontaneously, the first thing that tends to pop into mind, no matter if that thought is actually true or not. 

What do our excuses say about us? Do they define us as liars, or defenders of the thoughts we have? Or more reasonably, does it all come down to perception? Some may see it as justifying a thought or moral, but since it’s based on perspective, an excuse can’t ever be right or wrong. It’s purely based on the decision you choose to make at the moment, and what you consider when making that decision. 

Without even realizing it, excuses are visible in our daily lives. Sometimes they are the most basic things we accidentally ignore, because they are so ingrained in our day-to-day lives. An example is saying we are “too tired.” While it could be true, it is also possible for people to say they’re tired because of laziness or tendencies to procrastinate. It is a normal thing many of us do, but it is something that we can avoid in the future to be more productive individuals. Another common excuse: “I can’t do it.” Remember, “can’t” is just a mindset: there are endless possibilities for what we can achieve if we set our mind to it. It is better to embrace a positive outlook on the circumstances in your life and try not to cut corners by making excuses. 

Some might also say that something “is too risky.” Oftentimes, we avoid risks, trying to be logical about the choices we make, but is that all there is to it, or is there more? There’s a difference between reasons and excuses. Reasons are valid, while excuses are made to avoid a situation. When we define something as reasonable, that means that we have established that idea as possible or logical in the sense that with passion and the right tools, it can be accomplished. Excuses say otherwise; excuses are not reasons. Our city Edison, named after Thomas Edison, the inventor of the lightbulb, failed close to 10,000 times before he perfected the creation of the lightbulb. Having a positive outlook on life as he did is your best chance of success. Take a more optimistic approach to challenges, as Edison once said, “I have not failed 10,000 times—I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.” Life has so many opportunities to offer, but often we make excuses to avoid venturing outside of our comfort zone to an area we might call “too risky.” But the growth of people, ideas, and this world, in general, wouldn’t have been possible without taking risks and acting on a whim, no matter what society thinks.

Society has a way of finding the flaws in your character, and will always choose to point them out above anything else. People will always have a judgment on the kind of person you are, the decisions you make, the clothes you wear, or the opinions you have. There will always be people who choose to critique the kind of life you choose to live, but remember, they are not you. It is your life, not theirs. Above all, it’s important to wisely choose how you respond to these judgments; will you consider them and see if you think any differently about the decision you made? Always remember that we are our own harshest critics; use people’s commentary as fuel to nurture the best version of yourself.

It may seem difficult at first, but it is very possible to use this knowledge of excuses to achieve the best version of yourself. You can accomplish this by considering that we often make excuses to neglect responsibility. Responsibility only grows as we do, and we must learn to take responsibility for our actions and progress. It can feel easier to take that burden off your shoulders and avoid having to make tough decisions. But responsibility is not something that should be avoided like the plague; it can help a person grow. You’ll become a more mature and successful person if you choose to accept and acknowledge the choices you make, whether they are good or bad. 

The more we linger on our mistakes, the harder it gets to move forward and learn from them to evolve as someone better. The mistakes we make are learning experiences—they help us realize what we could do better next time, as well as what we shouldn’t do. Our mistakes shouldn’t be hindrances, but rather stepping stones to a life of success and achievement. It’s all about mindset, and fighting to make your success a reality. And the first step to that is not putting yourself down when you make a mistake or supposedly fail at something, because those failures are what help you learn and grow. Excuses limit us to all the possibilities for what we can achieve and discover; they are a comforting blanket that protects us from the risks and challenges that seem too difficult to overcome. But remember, the hard truths are always the best truths. There is nothing stopping you from reaching your fullest potential and stopping the excuses in your tracks.