I read something today that really resonated with me so I want to share it with you: “Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure”. Extreme? Perhaps. True? Absolutely!
I’d like you to take a moment and think about how many times in an average day you hear someone make an excuse for something. Perhaps your child made an excuse for why they failed a test; a neighbor made an excuse for why they stopped their diet before reaching their goal… and certainly people make excuses in ACN every day.
By definition, an excuse is an explanation offered in hopes of obtaining forgiveness. That said, an excuse is a negative thing, yet it’s something we tolerate from people in our everyday lives, something we explain away as simply being human nature. But what’s the real reason people make excuses in the first place? I believe it’s because we have such an incredible fear of failure. We don’t want to be seen as failing by others, but even more importantly, we don’t want to admit to ourselves that we failed. So it’s easier to just make an excuse and move on. If you’re too busy to devote time to your ACN business, then you didn’t fail at ACN… you just got busy.
The reality is that failure isn’t a bad thing. This past weekend I had an opportunity to spend some priceless time with John Maxwell who is a big believer – and a big supporter – of failure. As John teaches, there is no achievement without failure, and to think for a moment that it might even be possible immediately sends your thinking down the wrong track. Failure is inevitable – so the sooner we learn how to deal with it and overcome it, the better. In fact, if you haven’t had at least a handful of failures in your life, then you probably haven’t ever truly been challenged. And if you haven’t ever been challenged, then ask yourself if you have ever done anything truly worth doing. After all, as I’ve always believed, falling flat on my face actually puts me six feet (or close to it) closer to my goal!
An excuse might provide a temporary boost to your self-esteem for that moment – but it provides permanent damage to your future potential. So ask yourself: are you making excuses or are you making progress? I assure you that you can’t do both at the same time!
While you’re already online reading this blog, take a minute to go over to ACN’s SUCCESS on Demand website and listen to an excerpt from Brian Tracy’s book No Excuses! The Power of Self-Discipline. Hear from Brian how a little self-discipline goes a long way in helping you avoid the pitfalls associated with making excuses. It’s less than 20 minutes in length – so there’s really no excuse not to.
Until next time,
Greg
thank you so much for your blog…every time its has this bell inside me to review my action and what I have to change to sucess…this is so true….excuses…an being afraid of failiure….you are such an inspiration and heart to heart in your blog…this is the reality of life…..sometimes we don t realize that excuses is part of us….
Great blog! I needed to here that & will share it with others
Thank you, Mr. Provenzano!
Many of us fail in ACN, and we learned that is natuaral to fail. Moreover, we learned it is GOOD to fail – as long as we fail forward! I believe that failure is part of success, and if you want to be successful, you have to be ready to fail. So we embraced it, and then it is not as bad as it sounds. We just learn from our mistakes and move forward. The good thing is the Failure comes before Success!
Mr. Provenzano, God bless you and other tremendous ACN leaders who are positively impacting our lives. ACN is a blessing for us and our families. While I have much to work on, I’m excited to know my sail is set in the right direction. Sincerely, Adam Gonzales
Awesome Greg! Thanks for taking time to continue to pour into us. Heading over to listen to Brian Tracy!
Thank you Greg for all you do for this wonderful company we are involved in! As always your words resonate through my whole body and mind to “just keep on, keeping on!!”
Never say quit! Too much at stake for all of us that see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Thank.You Again,
Al D.
Thank you for sharing this Mr. Provenzano. We are blessed to in company led by such an incredible leader.
Thank you Mr. Provenzano, you always make my ACN day and give me renewed courage.
Thank you so much for the blogs you post. It is small reminders like this that help us pick ourselves up and press forward. God Bless you for all you do and are going to do.
Thank you again,
Ann Tiller
Yes, I have learned that making excuses is not taking accountability of my own actions. I also learned that success is about meeting my own personal goals and not about meeting the expectations of others.
Paulina
Thank you for your pearls of wisdom Mr. Provezano. It’s nice to feel the spark be lit again. Blessings for your encouragement.
Mr. Provenzano thank you so much for your words of wisdom. Truly you are our Godfather of Inspiration & GOD BLESS You for pouring into us. We are so blessed to be apart of ACN and cannot wait to drive this freedom vehicle straight to the top while changing lives every stop of the way. God bless you & ALL OF THE ACN LEADERS, STAFF & I B O’ S·
Thank you Greg.Nick A
Hi Greg,
Thank you so much for this post and for writing this blog. Years before I was asking what the hearts of the founders were like. In an organization of people, its those leading that have so big an impact on the rest. We want the quality and intentions of their hearts to be ones we want to follow. This blog gives unique insight.
The topic is highly relevant. The summary by Brian Tracy a good jolt or “kick in the pants”. Time to get on that horse again and by solid continuous discipline achieve what ACN has been made for both for myself and family and many others. Thanks once again.
Cheers
Mark Denekamp
Mr. Provenzano as i sit here this morning and have my coffee, I am in awe of how God is using this opportunity to make some of the greatest leaders I have ever seen. Thanks for your inspirations along the way!!! As I journey through the fires of life I pray I will be a leader of such intregity!!!
Mr. Provenzano as always, you are right on point. Thank you for your leadership!
See you in San Jose!
Thank you Mr. Provenzano! I have made excuses…your blog helps me to get productive. Production will always out do excuses. I look forward to seeing you in San Jose!
Awesome Mr. Provenzano. Thank you for your leadership and this great company. I am striving to take full advantage of ACN and eliminate all excuses from my life.
Mr.Greg, I for one acknowledge confirmation to your wise inspiration in that failure is natural.I would further refer to it as a primary stage for success,as in the human nature,how much does it take a new born to stand upright and walk?Though the practice is too hazardous,sense how he awesomely,amazingly happy to take his first steps.I once again wish to extend my sincere gratitude for reminding me why i didnt have to excuse my self for errors done during my walking exercises,but only kept trying to my success. Philosopher……….is your title.