What excuses have you allowed to keep you from living your vision?
“Excuses are not accepted, get the job done,” is one of my favorite quotes of all time. I don’t know who gets credit for saying it, but I first heard this quote my senior year playing high school basketball. Our coach would have these inspiring quotes for us to learn and repeat during and after practice for motivation.
I remember this quote became our motivating battle cry because of the trials we experienced that year. That particular year we had to play every one of our games on the road because the gym was being remodeled. To this day, I still do not understand why the administration decided to remodel the gym right before the beginning of basketball season. They gave us no respect.
Tough regular season
We had a tough regular season that year because of all of the distractions of not having a home gym. We had to practice and play all of our games on the road. I remember sometimes having to carry two uniforms to a game because we did not know if we were going to be the home or visiting team.
During the regular season, we played hard despite all the distractions, but we still ended the season with a losing record. After the regular season, our next game was the sub-region tournament. We were ranked last in our sub-region. Everyone was expecting us to play one game and lose.
Something powerful happened
I remember something powerful happening in practice the week before the tournament that changed the remainder of our season. We decided to take our quote serious and make no excuses and get the job done. We could have allowed all the distractions; the losing record, last place in the region or not having a home gym keep us from making a real effort to win the tournament.
We turned what could have been a list of excuses as to why it was okay to lose; to motivation to win the tournament. During practice that week we decided that we were going to play like the neutral site was our home gym. We made up our mind that no team that week was going to beat us. We turned what could have been a negative situation into positive winning energy.
First night of the tournament
I remember the first night of the tournament we played the third ranked team and won. The next night we played the second ranked team and won. In the championship game, we played the number one team and won. We had done what others thought was impossible.
We went from being counted out to winning the championship. Now we were entering a greater challenge to play in the region playoffs. We knew if we won one game, we would go to the state playoffs. Our intentions were not to just win that one game, but win the region tournament.
The rest of the story
The rest of the story is that we lost the region championship in what was a very close game. Even though we lost that game, we still got a chance to go to the state playoffs. We lost in the first round of the state playoffs in a game that went down to the very last seconds.
It was a very disappointing loss, but we were still pleased because we saw what was possible when you work hard and do not allow excuses to control you. I share this story to challenge you to put away all the excuses that hinder you from living your vision and go after what you know is possible for your life and family.
- I don’t care if it hasn’t been done before, do it anyway.
- I don’t care if no one will go with you; go by yourself.
- I don’t care if you don’t get encouragement from your family or friends, encourage yourself.
When you decide to stop making excuses, you can possess your promises and live out your destiny.
“The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse.” Author Unknown
Questions: What excuses have kept you from living your vision? Leave a comment below.
Brendal Davis says
Mr. Haynes thank you for sharing that enspiring story. Excuses are hinderances we can not afford if we are to live a successful life. A quote that has powered my life is “It is not enough to do your best, you must do whatever it takes to succeed. Eliminating excuses is all it will take for most of us to live our vision.
Bernard Haynes says
I loved the quote. I will use this quote. You hit the nail on the head that eliminating excuses will put you on the road to living your vision. I am glad you liked the story.
Chris Bailey says
Agreed, awesome quote!!
floyd says
I love those type of real life stories!!! That’s the benefit of playing sports when young; it develops not only a habit of hard work, but the attitude to give every ounce of ourselves in everything we do.
The person that makes an excuse is allowing themselves to be handicapped. Everything starts in the mind our Father gives us. Inspiring post, Bernard! (and thanks for fixing the subscription)
Bernard Haynes says
If we allow them, excuses will handicap us from living out our vision. Glad you brought the email subscription problem to my attention. Got it fixed.
Barb Raveling says
Sometimes my overall ineptness as far as getting things done is discouraging, but I’m definitely making progress. I don’t really think I’m making excuses, just have a long ways to go still.
Bernard Haynes says
Barb, it is good that you are making progress. You should get the blog posts.
Barb Raveling says
That’s strange, I just realized I got today’s post in my mail, but don’t see any for the past weeks – I don’t know what it was, but I think everything’s okay.
TCAvey says
Very encouraging and motivating post!
It reminds me of Isaiah 43:18-19.
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks, TC.
David Rupert says
I had a teacher who told me, “Excuses represent failure.”
Never forgot that
Bernard Haynes says
David, thanks for commenting.
kimanzi constable says
There will always be a “good excuse” in our minds but like you said, if you really want it, you can make it happen. I think getting real with ourselves helps us stop!
Bernard Haynes says
Kimanzi, you hit the nail on the head. Getting real with ourselves helps us stop.
life motivation Quotes says
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on life motivational books pdf.
Regards