"Managing Excuses"

Never have we had more excuses available to us. We can blame our performance, or our lack of performance, on any number of people and things. Unfortunately, doing so is a waste of both our time and emotion. In reality, we alone are responsible for the choices we make.

The challenge with excuses is that they represent both a human need and a deceptive nature. Without over psychologizing things, we simply have to justify our behavior. It either has to be justified or something has to change. To straddle the behavioral fence is uncomfortable at the very least and unhealthy if it is not addressed. We simply must find a reason to support the choices we are making.

The other challenge involved with excuses is the nature of the beast. There will always be some element of truth in the excuse. It began in the beginning. God confronted Adam with his behavior. What did Adam do? He blamed Eve. In reality, he blamed God for creating Eve and for giving her to him as a companion. The truth is God did create Eve. He did give her to Adam as a companion. And, she did give him the fruit to eat. The part missing, however, is Adam's part. He choose to eat the fruit. Eating the fruit was his responsibility but you have to admire the creativity of his justification. Unfortunately, it was not a complete truth. Truth fragments can always be found in excuses. That is what makes them dangerous and us sick.

The conclusion, don't make excuses. Face reality. Accept responsibility. Look for opportunity. Above all, look out for the fruit you are about to eat. The giver of the fruit just might be a snake.