Do you have too many excuses?

I hear too often even from top managers why they supposedly can't implement change. But we forget one thing: we are all incredibly powerful. In the vast majority of cases, we are not victims, but shapers of circumstances and our behavior.

Of course there are different (also "unfair") starting positions in life. But from there on we have it in our hands - as long as we don't make excuses. We can almost always determine our decisions and actions - and in any case always our reaction. What does this have to do with leadership and team success? A lot! Because you can only move things forward with your team if people focus their energy on design instead of excuses. To do this, of course, we first have to recognize where excuses instead of creative will appear everywhere. Here are three typical areas of excuses that are preventing you and your team from greater success:

Excuse No. 1: "I can't because ...„

You hear this statement in all sorts of variations. Typically, other people, other departments, tools, regulations and so on are to blame.

I've seen it time and time again: those who achieve significantly more than average, even in difficult circumstances, ask themselves a different question: "What can I do now from where I am, with what I have?"

Something is always possible. We talk ourselves into most of the barriers. And these apparent obstacles then become a habit.

Excuse #2: "That's not how it works here."

This excuse is also widespread. Mostly, this statement comes unspoken. One makes it clear to oneself and to others that things have to run according to a very specific pattern. My question then is always, "Really? Who is saying that? And why?"

Because all of these are simply determinations that can be changed again. A good helpful question for this is, "What happens if I do it now?" Many rules and habits are worth breaking or at least putting to the test if things are not going well otherwise.

Excuse #3: "I'm not like that!"

This is the classic that prevents us from moving forward the most: "I'm just like this" is nothing more than an excuse to myself that I don't have to do anything right now. This is usually a deeply ingrained habit.

Because: Who determines what I am like? Others or me? Sure: You yourself determine how you are. No one else. This fact makes it unpleasant for many. Because now I have full responsibility for myself - with all the downsides.

Important: I can change my beliefs about myself at any time if I want to. This is usually not easy - but always possible.

Conclusion: If you manage to expose these three typical excuses as such in yourself and your team, you can take a big step forward.

To the author:
Volkmar Völzke is a success maximizer. Book author. Consultant. Coach. Speaker. www.volkmarvoelzke.ch