Mindset Makeover: The 21 Excuses Keeping You From Success

The ‘Success Mindset’ Is A Choice

Crafting a success mindset is all about discipline. It doesn’t matter what you’re pursing: you’ve got to have the right attitude and perspective.

Often we use material things or feelings as markers for our success.

Like, “Success is being able to buy a new car, in cash, without worry” or “I’ll know I’ve hit a certain level of success when I finally feel happy”. 

It doesn’t really work like that.

Successes are what we experience on our ongoing journeys toward fulfillment.

Achieving success rarely means you’re at the end of your road, in fact, it’s a signal you’ve just begun!

That’s why maintaining a success mindset throughout your journey is so important.

Yet time and again, our minds find ways to create roadblocks.

Excuses.

Mental barriers.

Justifications that make it easier to give up than pursue your full potential.

Unpacking Mental Blocks

Whether your pursuit is a promotion, starting a business, kicking a vice, exploring a new passion, or something in between, the mind has a way of testing your endurance.

Remember, success is all about setting the right goals and following through with discipline.

Part of self-discipline involves casting aside old thoughts or beliefs that hold you back. 

When you train yourself to ignore common excuses that hold you back, you can recommit to an intentional life and slay your goals!

21 Excuses That Prevent You From Embracing a Success Mindset

1. “I don’t have the time.”

You may have more than you think you do. Cut back on social media. TV. Wake up earlier. Stay up later. Put in work for fifteen-minute intervals throughout the day. It isn’t about working non-stop (which leads to burnout), but about finding the extra time that many of us have left in our days. There’s always time!

2. “I don’t have the money.”

While this is a valid argument, it still shouldn’t hold you back. Do whatever you can to pursue what you desire in ways that don’t involve the cost until you can convince someone – or yourself – it’s worth investing in. Then, focus in saving up smartly and spending only when needed.

3. “Nothing ever goes my way.”

This is one of the most common negative mindsets that holds people back. It’s a form of self-sabotage. This belief will remain true until you challenge yourself to believe otherwise. Until then, you’ll look for evidence in everything to support this failure belief (and give up before you even begin).

4. “I’m just not feeling it right now.”

Do it anyway! Following feelings alone isn’t an act of discipline. The most successful people hold themselves accountable to showing up even when they’d rather not. Build a mindset around success that focuses on creating an achievable routine and forming productive habits. 

5. “Some people are made for this, maybe I’m not one of them.”

That’s exactly what someone who has experienced a lot of success thought once, too. But they chose to ignore this negative belief and pushed on past it to start the hard work. Change doesn’t come easily, no matter what it is you’re trying to accomplish. But it builds a lot of character and ultimately makes you stronger.

6. “Some people just have an easier path to success.”

Comparison is the thief of joy. Everyone starts from a different place, yet everyone has their own unique shortcomings they have to wrestle with (even people who are born with more privilege). Turn self-defeating thoughts into motivation to chase what you want. 

7. “I’m just not cut out for this.”

In other words, you don’t have the skills or success mindset right now and that’s preventing you from seeing what you’re capable of in the future. Creative visualization can go a long way in coaxing the mind to believe that you’re capable of anything. Spend some time talking yourself up so you can prove your inner critic wrong! 

8. “It will take too long to reach my goals.”

Think about it this way: time is going to pass either way. So, you can spend the next five years believing it will take too long to reach your goal and just not try. Or, you can look back in five years and think “damn, I’m glad I did that!” What path is going to make future you feel the best?

9. “I’m not smart or talented enough.”

There are many forms of intelligence and success does not discriminate against any of them. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Find your niche, and work hard at improving what doesn’t come as naturally to you. Hard work always outweighs lazy talent in the long run. 

10. “It’s too late for me.”

If you think that now, imagine how you’ll feel ten years from now. ’Tis the season of life to pursue your dreams with reckless abandon! A social construct like age shouldn’t keep you from living your life to the fullest. After all, you only get one. You should decide exactly how you want to spend your time and energy.

11. “I’ll just stick to what feels safe.”

What feels safe and comfortable now isn’t necessarily what’s best for you long-term. In fact, sticking with what feels safe is going to predictably keep you in the exact same spot you’re in now, year after year. Only play it safe if you can give up on all of your dreams today without looking back. 

12. “I don’t have the confidence to pull this off.”

You might not have it right now. Keep putting in work and doing the next right thing. Grow into your goal and make the mission more important than your ego. You’ll likely be surprised how small wins turn into big confidence boosts over time.

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13. “Someone else has already beaten me to the punch.”

Maybe someone has already done what you want to do. But have you done this before? If not, the world hasn’t seen enough. Don’t underestimate how your unique contribution has the power to change something that has been done a million times. Plus, a little competition simply validates that what you’re pursuing is worthwhile!

14. “I’m not seeing the big results now – time to give up.”

Don’t let the desire for a big win right out of the gate prevent you from even starting the journey. This will take time. You must make a commitment to the process even if it deviates from your expectations. More often than not, people quit prematurely and never get to see their initial hard work come to fruition.

15. “There are a million people more qualified than me.”

So what! There are also millions of people you’re more qualified than. That isn’t going to stop them from pursuing their dreams, so don’t let it stop you. You can admit defeat now or choose to take a risk on yourself. Dare yourself to show off your unique gifts and skills. 

16. “I don’t even know where to start.”

That’s okay. Just make sure you start, even if it’s messy. One day at a time, simply focus on the next right thing you can do to bring yourself a baby step closer to your goals. Be flexible so that your journey can reveal more to you as you move toward committing. 

17. “If it were meant to be, it would have happened by now.”

That’s the instant gratification talking. The journey to fulfillment is littered with highs and lows. Restore your discipline by choosing to believe that consistent, hard work produces rewarding results. Some of life’s greatest successes evolve over many years and take time to achieve.

18. “No one thinks that I can actually do this.”

What a great opportunity to prove them all wrong. Avoid internalizing other peoples’ thoughts or assumptions. This is not the time for playing small to fit the mold others have unfairly placed you in. Challenge yourself to believe that only you have any authority on how capable you are and surround yourself with people who motivate you.

19. “I’m not ready to make the commitment.” 

What are you waiting for? If you’re thinking about moving forward on a goal but haven’t brought yourself to committing, consider why. Often there is self-doubt looming in the background. There’s no time like the present to change your future.

20. “What will people think of me if I pursue this?” 

Well, they might think a lot of things about you, good and bad. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Toss out the desire to people-please so you can focus on what’s best for you. Get used to moving through opinions like a gentle breeze (let them come and quickly go). If you don’t pursue your true potential, they won’t have to live with the regret – you will. 

21. “If it’s meant to be, it will just happen.”

Ah, not quite. Although it’s tempting to slip into this way of thought because it absolves you of having to show up and do the work. Success requires discipline and hard work. If you’ve not yet reached what you’re in pursuit of, you won’t get any further by believing that it will manifest all on its own. 

Find goal-setting guides, empowerment workbooks, and more in the Female Mind Unleashed Shop.

Protect Your Success Mindset

How often do these excuses show up in your life?

It’s not easy letting go of old thinking, but if you want to move forward you have to be up for the challenge.

You’re worth it!

A healthy mindset is the key to unlocking success in your life, no matter what you’re in pursuit of.