Why Smart People Still Make Excuses and How to Stop

Why do we make excuses? We know what we need to do, but we do something else or take no action at all. Our justification is that we are too busy, there isn't enough time, we don't have the resources we need, and on and on and on.

The truth is that excuses are our frequent companions. They feel comfortable because they are based on perceptions that have been around nearly all of our lives.

Psychologists tell us that our core beliefs are formed by age seven. That means negative belief systems, founded in reality or just perception, have been around longer than the intelligence you have developed.

Intelligence is learned. You pick it up through schooling and experience. You may spend years taking courses, reading self-help content, and working on yourself. That is commendable and an important step to creating a new reality.

Imagine that you spent 30 years building the resources and tools needed to achieve your goals. That should give you a good shot at success, but the belief systems that subconsciously hold you back and manifest into excuses have existed since before you started school.

This is one of the most influential reasons smart people that know what steps they need to take to create success pump the brakes instead of stepping on the gas and taking action.

Some of those limiting beliefs are a fear of failure, a lack of self-worth, a fixed mindset, and an ego-fueled resistance to change. They are sneaky because they subconsciously sabotage your efforts to achieve your goals, even when you consciously work hard to be successful.

There is room for encouragement, though. The following practices are proven excuse busters that keep you from falling into negative behavioural patterns that hold you back.

Instead of letting an excuse stop you dead in your tracks, reflect on what forward progress you can make. Instead of embracing the idea that you shouldn't act, look for some small way that you can act.

You don't have to make a huge change in a short time. Find some small vehicle for forward progress and get moving. Doing something to disprove your excuse can be powerful.

If your excuse is that you don't have enough time, look at your schedule. Write out what you do hour by hour. Break your day into smaller time periods than that if necessary. You'll find plenty of time to take action if you prioritise effort over excuses.

Look for evidence that your excuse isn't the truth.

Ask Yourself This One Question

"Will this belief help me or hurt me?"

Think about your long-term goals. Reflect on what you want to accomplish in the short-term as well. Then answer that question honestly. This is an easy way to spot a weak excuse keeping you from moving forward.

Question your thoughts. Observe your excuses objectively, as if you are viewing them as someone else's behaviour. This is important because research from the University of Florida shows that we ultimately have control over the subconscious beliefs that power our excuses.

Consciously question your excuses. The more you consciously ask yourself if your excuse is correct or holding you back, the more you begin to look at your situation rationally rather than letting incorrect limiting beliefs keep you from succeeding.