Excuses are possibly the biggest reason people fail to achieve what they set out to do. Already I am seeing the excuses I could come up with when using my Motivational Jar. I guess I could put them in my reflection jar but currently I am able to fight off the excuses so have not had to resort to it. I think it is important to focus on what the Goal is – and why? What is my Motivation? Why do I want to achieve this? And to remember that it is essentially all down to me. It is no good blaming someone else (saying go on you know that going to McDonalds once will not hurt) – because it is not them it will effect. You have to be the one with the strong will, be determined. Then if you overcome the excuses not only will you be more likely to achieve what you set out to do, but you will also feel better about yourself.
For example, day 2 I pulled out the goal of taking the boys outside – but we had done this the day before (as I am still doing things as well as the goals from the jar). We had already arranged to meet someone (at an indoors location too). Then I stopped myself and thought – this is just an excuse. So what we did is we walked to the meeting place (and back). You see it didn’t have to be some great adventure, just outdoors.
I guess it goes back to the “there’s no such word as can’t”.
I am not doing too badly with my small goals, and am definitely drinking more water (I keep reminding myself of the fact that it should only take 30 days to make it a habit!)
It is quite hard though with all the small challenges, even this early on. I think because I did not expect it to be any effort, and it is. When my husband suggested takeaway I managed to quickly just do soup and toast instead. Not my ideal food, but adjusting my ideals to make sure I did not go too far (takeout). I just need to be aware that I do not adjust my goals so much that it is just an excuse.
REMEMBER DON’T let others be your EXCUSE – only you can change things!
Hopefully the children going back to school will allow for better planning and less excuses.
How are you doing with the New Year so far?
PLEASE REMEMBER TO COMMENT ON OTHER PEOPLE’S POSTS
Link up anything Motivational or Inspirational or that you want Motivation or Inspiration for can be to do with resolutions, goals crafts, days out, photos, achievements, favourite things – anything. No time to write a post? Then please do link up something in your facebook or a picture you’ve instagrammed – follow me on instagram here I shall be hashtagging my goals that I achieve as #MotivationalMonday
You can also find my MotivationalMonday support on Pinterest and Google+
Thank you for all those who supported the linky last year and welcome any newcomers.
I love the idea of a motivational jar. I am feeling quite motivated so far this year, I am on an exercise and health kick. But how long it lasts for I do not know. 😉
Glad to hear you are feeling so motivated, hope you can keep it up. Do you know what it is that is inspiring you right now? May help if you do struggle later.
It’s amazing how inventive we can be with excuses but, as you say, we can be just as imaginative in other ways should we choose to put our minds to something else instead! Good luck Joy. Am starting a regime of much less procrastinating myself so will enjoy the extra (give and take, hopefully) motivation always found here! X
I love this idea. Would be just the kick up the bum that I need sometimes. I’m really determined to make this a great year though x
Thanks so much for hosting each week! Have a great week!
What a great link up! I’m sharing what could be a motivational post to venture outside of your comfort zone. Hope it inspires!
Sounds like just what I need – thanks for linking up.
I’m with you on the eating thing, but it’s in the day time especially that I struggle with. I’ve got quite good and make meals every evening, but in the week I can’t think of what to eat myself. After I’ve sorted out my son I just end up picking on food. I need to get better at eating well for me too. As I said before, I love the motivational jar idea too-and your small achievable steps-right up with you there. Good luck, you can do it 🙂
My own motivational jar includes detox of all that Chrimbo sugar, dry January, re-cutting out the caffeine and shifting the regained inches by not using this god forsaken rain as an excuse for not getting out and running.
Running – I ought to do that really. How did you start? I feel too cold to even think of going out without the kids (see my excuse there already :$ )
I love the idea of the motivational jar. We have a boredom jar, and the kids have stopped asking to use it because I always find an excuse not to do whatever they pull out of it. Awful!
I like the sound of a boredom jar – trouble is timing as well isn’t it.
Oh I am pretty bad at making up excuses to…must stop that and have more of a get up and go attitude!!!
We can do it together 🙂
Totally agree – I am awful! But this morning I went for a run and wrote a blog post and generally pulled my finger out of my arse for the first time this year! I am starting as I mean to go on 🙂 x
Ooh I am a terrible one for excuses, and when I run out if excuses I opt for displacement activity…. I need to give myself a boot up the backside!
I so need to find the motivation to get motivated. You are inspiring me to so better. So keep going!
Great motto to live by!
You’re doing great, I have no will-power and am always making excuses for promises I’ve made to myself – frustrating! x
What a wonderfully inspiring post Joy – motivational in fact (see what I did there). You’re doing very well with your year already but the sounds of things! I must link up with your motivational Monday – just need to work out what kind of post fits so I can join in. It’s a fabulous Linky 🙂
Well done with what you are doing so far! Keep up the fantastic work x
Well done for keeping up with it all. I am trying to drink more water too, not succeeded every day yet, but there’s still hope.
Very motivational x
Drinking more water is something I’m definitely trying to do more of – that and cut out the pepsi max!!
This is so true – coming up with excuses is easy. I’m desperately trying to take the children outside everyday, but have been using the weather as an excuse not to. Today I forced us all to go for a little walk after we popped round the corner to the post office. I’m so glad we did as the children enjoyed it and it really helped me clear my head and as a result I felt better for the rest of the day – and amazingly we missed the rain too!
Oh I’ve loved reading those motivational prompts, I was nodding my head at all of them. Great post!
Still love that motivational Jar idea. I’ve not set myself any goals yet – I bet I’ll get round to it by May 😉
This is such helpful advice! Little decisions add up to big changes and goals met! Just taking the kids for a short walk on the way to somewhere else is a great example of how easy it can be to meet our goals! I am one who uses others as excuses to not meet my goals! Thanks for this eye opening post!
Can I borrow your motivation jar, I think I needs it!
Don’t let others be your excuse if a great one. Mich x
Can I still join in despite it now being Tuesday? xx
Great post by the way xx
Yes Motivation is all week long 🙂
not heard of a motivational jar before, really love it though…. sorry just dashed off to find a jar!
you are so right – i can make up all the excuse i like but that’s the thing I am making them, no one else is. so many valid and great pointers here and i was agreeing with you all the way xx
I have linked up my beginning of January motivational post for myself. I am planning to not only cut out alcohol for January but try to drink more water, like you. I think it’s good for skin and over all health. Not going too great so far!
Sticking to them is definately the key and the weekend takeaway can be hard to resist.
Great linky 🙂