Jackie Zach
January 25, 2024
In today’s episode, Mike McKay and Jackie Zach explore the damaging role excuses play in hindering success. They begin by discussing the difference between denial and excuses, with Mike explaining that excuses often involve shifting blame to external factors like the economy, rather than taking responsibility. Mike illustrates this by pointing out how some business owners use excuses like unemployment rates or recessions as reasons for underperformance, even when others are thriving under the same conditions. The conversation challenges listeners to reflect on their own behaviors and avoid making excuses that keep them from achieving their goals.
The duo also delves into how people often mask excuses with seemingly valid “reasons,” particularly when faced with ambitious dreams. They share examples, such as a business owner who downplayed the idea of sponsoring a Formula 1 team by listing multiple excuses. Jackie and Mike emphasize that true success requires letting go of excuses and taking ownership of one’s actions. By doing so, individuals can break through their limiting beliefs and begin to take the necessary steps toward reaching their goals. Ultimately, the message is clear: to make meaningful progress, individuals must identify and confront their excuses head-on.
Are you ready to drop your excuses and take responsibility to move forward? Take advantage of a complimentary business strategy session to find out how your energy is affecting your team’s results today! http://makemoreworkless.actioncoach.com/mmwl-diag-and-questions/
Podcast Transcript:
Jackie Zach: Welcome back to the Make More Work Less podcast. I’m very excited about today’s topic.
Mike McKay: I can’t talk today because my dog ate my homework.
Jackie: Haha. Today’s topic: excuses.
So, Mike, tell me more about your dog eating your homework.
Mike: I guess that’s wrong—technically, that’s more of a blame. I’ve talked about denial before, and the next step up from denial is excuses. Denial is, “I don’t have a problem.” Excuses are, “Something is causing the problem, but it’s not my responsibility.”
Take the classic excuse: the economy. Some people blame it on who’s in charge—Republicans, Democrats, bankers, whoever. The idea is, “It’s not me; it’s them.”
But if the economy is your excuse of choice, ask yourself: who’s overcoming that same challenge? For example, if you say, “I can’t hire anyone because the government put too much money into the economy, and now everyone’s just sitting around,” that doesn’t hold up when unemployment is under 3.5%.
We’re in Wisconsin, and Madison’s unemployment just dropped below 3.4%. That means 96.6% of Dane County residents who could work are working. So, the excuse that people are “sitting home on the dole” doesn’t align with reality.
If that’s your excuse, look at others in the same situation. How many people are affected by the current unemployment rate? Everyone. Yet, you’ll find plenty of successful businesses that aren’t using that as an excuse.
Take recessions as another example. Someone might say, “We’re going into a recession.” Maybe—but recessions last six to 12 months, while expansions typically last five to seven years. In fact, we might already be out of the recession that supposedly started last January.
If you’re in Madison, Wisconsin, and claim a recession is the reason for underperformance, remember: everyone in Madison would face the same economic environment. Yet, some businesses succeed because they refuse to accept that excuse.
Excuses are external. It’s saying, “This thing—this big external event—is happening, and it’s why I can’t succeed.” But often, excuses are just a way to avoid looking in the mirror and changing your behavior to achieve your goals.
Jackie: If you find yourself thinking, “But the reason I can’t…” or saying things like…
Mike: “I can’t do that because…”
Jackie: Exactly—“because…” Those reasons are just excuses in disguise.
Mike: We’re often quick to point out excuses in others—like saying to our kids or employees, “You’re making an excuse.” But then we justify our own by calling them “reasons.” It sounds more sophisticated, but it’s still just a way to avoid taking responsibility.
Jackie: Right.
Mike: Exactly. Excuses are interesting. The sooner you’re willing to give them up and take back responsibility—the real point of power—the sooner you can start achieving your goals and making your dreams happen.
You can’t achieve a goal while making excuses. Interestingly, for some people, their goals are so intimidating that they start making excuses to avoid reaching them.
Here’s an example: Last night at golf league, we talked about how top Formula 1 racing teams spend $250 million a year. One of the business owners there said, “That’d be so cool, but I’d have to grow my business massively to sponsor an F1 team. Then I’d need a jet to fly to the races, and I’d have to deal with F1 politics. I don’t think Qatar is where I want to spend my time.” It was excuse after excuse.
So, I asked, “Do you even want to become the kind of person who can run a business capable of spending $250 million on F1?” And they said, “Oh, I want to do it,” but they’d just listed 17 reasons why it wasn’t a good idea. They’re not going to do it—it’s instant.
If you’re listening to this, one of my dreams is to have a penthouse in Nashville, fly a helicopter to my yacht on the coast, and then take my private plane back to Wisconsin to check in on my businesses.
Jackie: And take your team with you.
Mike: And take my team wherever they want to go, right? If your first thought is, “Well, that might be fun for you, but…” then you’re making an excuse.
Jackie: Yep, that’s a great way to put it.
Mike: Nothing is off the table if you’re willing to break through your beliefs and leave your excuses behind. I recently wrote a Daily Dose about how people want to see you succeed.
A common excuse is, “What will people think of me?” Well, they’ll probably think you’re pretty awesome. You’ve just set an example that others can follow, showing them it’s possible. Unless, of course, you’re the type of person who believes that people shouldn’t be successful, in which case, that’s a reflection of your own mindset.
Jackie: Right—and that’s a whole other topic.
Mike: Exactly.
Excuses sound like, “But I can’t,” “That would be great if…” or “I can’t because…”
Jackie: “The reason being…”
Mike: Yep, all those are just excuses keeping you from achieving what you say you want. You just haven’t decided you truly want it yet.
Jackie: Exactly. So, pay attention—what excuses are you making in your business? Until next time, go kick some ass.