Excuses Don’t Work Anymore

Posted by Nathan

October 22, 2007

LIKE YOU, I am sick of excuses. I simply don’t believe them anymore. I am not interested in weak excuses - their kid’s sports activities, the rain, the car broke down… rubbish! People lie to excuse their weakness, laziness, fear, and dishonesty. If there was a million dollar check waiting for them, would them be on time? They think nothing of being a week late in delivery. Winston Churchill said, “The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”

In a whishy-washy, mediocre world, there is very little competition for the three percent of people who are truly committed to achieving their objectives. Nothing can stop the purpose-driven individual who will do whatever it takes to achieve his goal and honor his commitments. Benjamin Disraeli said, “Nothing can resist a human will which will stake even its existence on the extent of its purpose.”

Here’s the reality. If you want to do business with a truly successful person who has definite goals and commitment, you may may hitch a free ride for a time, but sooner or later your true motives and level of commitment will be revealed, at which time you will either have a stronger relationship with that person, or “Atlas will Shrug” and you will find it hard to even get him to return your calls. The truth will out.

Absolute, unconditional commitment, true integrity, and courage can only be found, as I mentioned before, in about three percent of the population. You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince. And so a lot of people get so tired of dealing with losers posing as winners that they eventually give in and lower their standards to avoid the frustration. They “dumb down”. Read “The Fountainhead” by Ayn Rand, and you will understand the cost of compromise. The price of discipline weighs ounces, while the price of regret weighs tons. Don’t compromise and lower your standards. Rather, set yet higher standards. When last did you see Rolex cutting prices? Does Mont Blanc try to compete with ten dollar pens? NO - they keep bring out more expensive models.

Refuse to believe or accept excuses. Here’s a good example: I flew across Canada - an hour from my home to the Vancouver airport, ninety minutes in the airport, a five hour flight next to an obese person, thirty minutes in the airport in Toronto, a thirty minute trip to my hotel, and then I was thirty minutes early for the seminar that night. Then I get the excuse that there was a lot of traffic on the 401 and that’s why some loser didn’t show up for my presentation. Guess what? All future Bootcamps 202 in Toronto have been cancelled. Period. Atlas Shrugged. If you want to hear me speak, fly to where I am speaking. I don’t want to hear about your kids or spouse or any other lies. If you’re going to take a week to respond to me, don’t bother. I will have moved on. You failed the honesty test.

Shrug off (Reference: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand) the wanna-be’s who don’t do what they promise to do. Replace them with winners. The pretenders will drain you, frustrate you, tire you, and milk you. Ultimately, they will attack you. Successful people will inspire, support, strengthen and encourage you. They will empower and and energize you. You know the difference. As soon as the mask slips and you see a loser, cut bait. Don’t be too kind or understanding. Don’t hesitate. Cut them loose; you can’t afford them. You owe it to your friends not to associate with losers. But don’t lower the bar. Don’t quit on your goals. The good people are out there, my friend. Hang tough.

Be the Mont Blanc, the Rolex, the Rolls Royce. Climb Everest and watch the weak ones fall by the wayside, but don’t quit on your way to the top. Don’t settle for grits when you can eat lobster.

-Robin Elliott, www.JointVentureTools.com