From the Web Site Zen Habits:
We all make excuses.
But the successful ones are those who can kill the excuses like the miserable maggots they are.
I’m too tired. I don’t have the time. I don’t feel motivated. I’d rather do nothing. I don’t have the money, equipment, space. I can’t because …
We’ve all made the excuses. Here’s how to kill them.
- See the positive. Excuses are usually made because we don’t feel like doing something — we’re accentuating the negative. Instead, see the fun in something, the joy in it. And maintain a positive attitude, or you’ll never beat the excuses.
- Take responsibility. Excuses are ways to get out of owning up to something. If we don’t have the time, money, equipment, etc., then it’s not our fault, right? Wrong. Take responsibility, and own the solution.
- Find a solution. Just about every problem has a solution. Don’t have time? Start with just 5-10 minutes. Make the time. Wake earlier. Do it during lunch. Don’t have a gym membership? Workout at home or in the office. Don’t have the energy? Do it when you have higher levels of energy. You’re smart. Figure out the solution.
- See your goal. This is your motivation — your reason for doing it. Sure, you could just lay on the couch, but if you think about why you really want to pursue a goal, you’ll be motivated. Visualize that goal and just get started.
- Be accountable. Have a workout partner, a project partner, a team, someone to report to. If you have to meet a coach or partner, you’re more likely to do something.
- Go ahead and make your excuses. Then do it anyway.
- Watch the video above. Then go an do it.
May I adapt this to my spiritual life?
OK.
- Remember that prayer leads to good. Even if it doesn't feel good at the time, or if it is inconveinient, you need to know that at no point has anyone not felt they should not have prayed. Even going into the surgery, athiest friends sent emails about "positive thoughts and energies." I have no idea what that is, but it sounds a lot like prayer. See the positive and you can jump right in to prayer!
- Be responsible. If you need to pray more, it isn't because of anyone other than you. Read the quote at the top of the web site. Get it? Really? Do you get it?
- There is an answer to every excuse. Every excuse you have for not pursuing sainthood, indulging in sin, not praying more, being lazy about your spiritual life. There is an answer. You may not like it, but there is an answer. You probably know the answer. You are avoiding it because you know it's true.
- You are going to die. Go to a funeral. Go to a cemetary. Look, you are going to die. You need to pray more. Give yourself a limit and live as if you are going to die. We are all on our deathbeds, better get busy living, or get busy dying.
- Accountability. Life is hard enough. Life in Christ without a person to hold you accountable is harder. The instant you decide to live for Christ there is going to be temptation, those that try to throw you off track. Get someone that is going to give you a kick in the ass. Yeah, that's right. I said it. A kick in the ass.
- Pity the Child. Throw the pity party. Just make sure you are giving God the excuses. He'll know what to do with them. Oh look! You're praying! Sorry, tricked you. It worked though!
- Watch the video. Videos are nice. The video I put in this post is awesome. Play motivating music. Do what you have to do to get motivated. Then pray.
