Reasons vs. Excuses: How to Stop Holding Yourself Back

The Difference Between a Reason and an Excuse

A mentor once gave me advice that stuck with me: there's a huge difference between a reason and an excuse. That concept is something I constantly remind myself of, especially when faced with challenges. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that a bad habit or missed opportunity is justified, but the truth is, most of the time, it's not.

Understanding the Difference

A reason is valid—it’s when circumstances truly prevent you from doing something, like being sick or having a legitimate emergency. On the other hand, an excuse is what happens when we try to justify not following through on something we could’ve done. Hitting the snooze button too many times or simply not preparing ahead of time are classic examples of excuses.

It’s not that life doesn’t throw challenges our way. It does. But what we do in response to those challenges defines our success. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. The question is, how are you going to spend yours?

Making the Most of Your Time

There are endless opportunities throughout each day to either push forward or hold back. We can either stay in bed or get up early to work on that project or build that skill we’ve been putting off. The difference between people who achieve their goals and those who don’t often boils down to what they’re willing to do when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient.

This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about understanding that we control more than we think. The next time you’re faced with an obstacle, ask yourself: is this a valid reason, or am I making an excuse? Once you can tell the difference, you’ll find yourself making better decisions and using your time more wisely.