Thursday, January 16, 1997

Yes, but...

The word “but” is a killer. It kills your dreams. It gives you an endless supply of reasons to live a life of desperation and mediocrity.

"Yes, I’d like to go back to school, but I just can’t find the time."

In life, there are either results or there are excuses. Unfortunately, most of us have too many excuses and not enough results. Excuses are worthless. Why do we even bother with them? They make us “feel” better, they allow us to deceive ourselves, they help us to forsake responsibility for our own lives.

"I want to, but... I need to, but... I could be, but...” But what?

To make something of your life, you need to bust some “buts". Get rid of them. For starters, replace “but” with “and". That just naturally makes things more open ended.

"Yes, I’d like to go back to school, and...

...and here’s how I’m going to do it."

"But” may make you feel better in the short run by providing justification for your lack of action. Eventually, though, your “buts” become a crutch. “But” is an escape, that too soon becomes a trap.

Go for the results. Forget the excuses.

— Ralph Marston

Think Ahead, Work Ahead, Be Ahead       What results are you getting?

Copyright ©1997 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All Rights Reserved. The Daily Motivator is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only. Other than personal sharing, please do not re-distribute without permission.