We are simply out of excuses. There is so much information available to us that there just is no valid reason for us to not learn whatever it is that we want or need to know.
Want to learn to play an instrument? You can.
Want to learn how to be a better lover? You can.
Want to learn how to become a better speaker? You can.
Want to learn how to start a business from home? You can.
But that is only part of the story. The availability of information is overwhelming. The challenge comes when we take in information but do not follow up with action.
I run in to a couple of scenarios fairly often:
I Wish I Could – The most common scenario I run across is when someone tells me, “I wish I could do that.” or “I wish I could learn how to do that.”. Typically, in my experience, this happens with the wish that they could play music or have their own home based business. Either of these can be accomplished by simply taking the time to find and apply information. There is so much information available to us all through search engines, blogs, articles, newsletters, etc.. that we are typically never more than a few mouse clicks from getting enough information to help us get started with just about any topic you an imagine. This includes starting your own business, learning to play an instrument, learning a new skill, etc…
I Can’t Because – This one gets a little sticky. Taking in the information is great but results come only after the information is put in to action. This is where we have to dig in to taking personal responsibility for our actions, decisions, time management, mindset, social involvements, etc…
In the past few days, I’ve heard a number of versions of the “I Can’t Because” story. Here are a few examples I run across fairly frequently:
- I’m too busy. Doing what? How bad do you want whatever it is that you desire? Are you willing to give up some sleep? TV time? Time at the bar with friends? It doesn’t take long to read a few articles, tutorials, etc… online. And with so many books available as audio books, drive time and bus time can be used to earn the equivalent of a PhD in the real world.
- Nobody Will Help Me. I have found that if you get rid of the excuses, you will find someone willing to help you. One of the most successful people I ever new was known to say, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” Successful people always love to help someone else who is ready to learn. So the real question becomes: Are you actually ready to learn? HINT: Learning includes accepting responsibility for how you apply the information provided. It is not the job of your coach/mentor/teacher to make you successful. They provide information, insight, experience. YOU provide the action that converts all of that to the results you desire.
We could really beak this down in to a long list of the individual components to include, “I don’t have time” or “My spouse/partner won’t support me” or “I’m scared” or “I can’t afford it” or “___________(fill in your own)_________”. The point is simply this:
If You Want It – Learn It
Then put it in to action so you can own it! Pick any example of any success story you can think of. Whether it’s about sports, business, relationships, music, writing, speaking, etc … that person you thought of had a starting point. And, in that starting point, they were completely and totally ignorant.
They started by taking in information.
They began applying the information and discovered that they were not very good at whatever it was.
They kept applying the information and became a little better at it.
They continued learning and applying information and started to get pretty good at it.
They made mistakes along the way. They kept going and they started to become really good at it.
They kept going and began to master various parts of the processes they were learning.
Today, they are proficient. They have mastered the skills. They make it look easy.
They started as zero … just like you and me.
Want it? Learn it! Get Started and DO NOT QUIT!
About The Author:
Brian Rooney is a and in the Houston Tx area.
He can be found on and .
All true but… We all have our buts; overwhelm is one of my favorites.
Seems like if I don’t strictly portion my time my wife and kids will find dozens of things to keep me away from what I want in a heart beat.
Some times I wish to win the lottery so I can just get a little time off from all the “I have to-s”, so I can get to the “I want to-s” before someone else wants me to!
I remember when I had to sit down with everyone in the family and explain to them, “For a season, I am going to be insanely busy”. I explained that if I could focus on reaching the goals we had, I would be available on an entirely new level. Fortunately, everyone was on board. Years later, we are all glad to have taken the time early on.