The most unprofitable item ever manufactured is an excuse.
When it comes to excuses, the world is full of great inventors. Some spend half their lives telling what they are going to do, and the other half explaining why they didn’t do it.
An alibi is the proof that you did do what you didn’t do, so that others will think you didn’t do what you did.
You can fail many times but not be a failure until you begin to blame someone else. Our own mistakes fail in their mission of helping us when we blame them on other people. When you use excuses you give up your power to change.
You treat others right when you don’t blame them for anything that is really wrong with you. “Never mind whom you praise, but be careful whom you blame” (Edmond Gosse). You can fall down many times, but you won’t be a failure until you say that someone else pushed you.
If you can find an excuse, don’t use it. Most failures are experts at making excuses. There are always enough excuses available if you are weak enough to use them. The world simply does not have enough crutches for all the lame excuses. It’s always easier to find excuses instead of time for the things we don’t want to do.
So, find a way, not an excuse. There is no excuse for a human being full of excuses. One who makes a mistake, and then makes an excuse for it, is making two mistakes.
Note this truth: “The fox condemns the trap, not himself” (Blake). Don’t find yourself talking like that old fox!
Never complain and never explain. “Admitting errors clears the score and proves you wiser than before” (Arthur Guiterman). Doing a job right is always easier than fabricating an alibi for why you didn’t.
The devil eagerly waits to provide you with an excuse for every sin. Time wasted thinking up excuses and alibis would always be better spent praying, planning, preparing and working toward your goals in life.
by John Mason.
Excerpt permission granted by Insight Publishing
John Mason is an international bestselling author, minister, publisher, executive author coach, and noted speaker. He’s the founder and president of Insight International and Insight Publishing Group. Both organizations are dedicated to helping people reach their dreams and fulfill their God-given destinies.
He has authored thirty-two books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original—Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits Then Ignore Them which have sold over 2 million copies and are translated into 40 different languages throughout the world. His books are widely regarded as a source of godly wisdom, scriptural motivation, and practical principles. His writings have been published twice in Reader’s Digest along with numerous other national and international publications. Seven of his books have reached number one on Amazon bestseller lists.
He’s been the president of two Christian publishing companies. He’s also a former Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson Publishers (Harper Collins), the 6th largest book publisher in the world and largest Christian publisher.
He’s an internationally recognized executive author coach, helping numerous prominent authors with their books for more than thirty years. Politicians, NBA, NFL, PGA, MLB, an Olympic gold medalist and other professional athletes, billionaires, businesspeople, pastors, ministers, New York Times bestselling authors, a Fortune 500 CEO, Navy SEALs, Top Gun pilots, and a Texas governor have all benefitted from his knowledge.
Known for his quick wit, powerful thoughts, and insightful ideas, he is a popular speaker across the US and around the world.