To stop making excuses and start achieving your financial goals, replace the word “but” with “and” in your thinking to shift your focus toward solutions. Instead of saying “I want to do this but…”, try “I want to do this and…”. Then take action.

It’s time to stop making excuses such as “I don’t have time”, “it’s too confusing”, or “I’ll worry about it later”. Understand that you do not need a logo, website, or virtual assistant to start making money. Track your net worth and pay down your debt. Start investing for the long term while creating a budget and learning about personal finance. Don’t get too comfortable, and realize that setbacks are normal. Consistency is key.

For a more detailed explanation on how to overcome these excuses and achieve your financial goals, continue reading this article.

Stop the Excuses & Start Crushing Money: Your Path to Financial Freedom

It is true that you can either make money or make excuses, but you cannot do both. Many people find themselves trapped by excuses, hindering their progress toward their goals. However, you might be surprised to learn that you already possess the tools and abilities necessary to achieve financial success. This article will help you identify and overcome your personal excuses, while providing practical steps to take to achieve financial success.

Part 1: Identifying and Understanding Your Money Excuses

The Power of the “But”

Many of us use the word “but” to create excuses. This simple word can sabotage your best intentions. When you say something like “I want to do this, but…” you’re immediately introducing a barrier. By substituting “but” with “and,” you can shift your mindset toward finding solutions. For instance, instead of saying, “I want to buy property but it’s too expensive,” try saying, “I want to buy property and I’m going to afford it!” This small shift forces your mind to focus on the positive and find a way to achieve your goal.

Common Money Excuses

Many of us use excuses to justify our inaction when it comes to finances. Here are some of the most common money excuses that you need to overcome:

• “I don’t have time to budget”: It’s easy to prioritize other activities over managing finances. It can seem that there simply isn’t enough time to budget. However, managing your finances doesn’t need to be a huge time commitment. You can easily carve out just 20-30 minutes each month to plan and manage your finances.
• “Personal finance is too confusing”: The financial world can seem complicated, with many acronyms and fine print. Many people do not learn much about personal finance in school. Fortunately, a lot of free resources are available that simplify the process such as online blogs and podcasts that can help you.
• “It’s too hard to get out of debt”: Many people feel like they’re drowning in debt, and that it is nearly impossible to get out from under it. Paying down your debt is a numbers game, and it is important to tackle the highest interest debt first, like credit cards.
• “I’ll worry about it later”: Many procrastinate and put off financial decisions. This can lead to missed opportunities and lost investment gains. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’ll get to it later, because that “later” may never arrive.
• “What if I lose money?”: Investing can seem like gambling to some people. They worry they might lose it all. It is important to understand that getting rich is not about betting everything, but rather it’s about creating an investment strategy for the long term.

External Excuses

People also make excuses by focusing on things they think they need, instead of focusing on taking action. Many people believe they need a logo, website, blog, professional headshot, or even a virtual assistant before they can start making money. In truth, none of these are crucial for starting to make money. You should be focusing on the value you bring to your customers, and the transformation that your product or service provides to them.

Part 2: Shifting Your Mindset and Taking Action

The Importance of Action

Taking action is absolutely essential for success. You can be motivated, but that is not enough. It is critical to actually do the work to achieve your goals. So instead of making excuses, start making moves.

Mindset Training

Training your mind to focus on solutions and embrace a positive mindset will set you up for success. Shift your focus away from what you cannot do toward what you can do. This mental shift helps you to find opportunities and overcome obstacles.

Responsibility and Control

Taking responsibility for your life gives you more control over your mind and your willpower. When you stop blaming external factors, you empower yourself to make the changes needed to reach your goals. This mindset shift is essential for long term success.

Focus on Value

Instead of focusing on having the perfect logo or website, direct your energy to the value you can provide your customers. Concentrate on the unique difference you can make, and the transformation that your products or service will provide. When you provide valuable products or services, the other pieces will fall into place.

Part 3: Practical Strategies for Crushing Money Goals

Calculating and Tracking Net Worth

Tracking your net worth is essential for monitoring your financial progress. Your net worth is determined by subtracting your liabilities (what you owe) from your assets (what you own). You can use free tools such as Personal Capital to keep track of your net worth over time.

Paying Down Debt

Paying down your debt is another very important step in creating financial success. Focus on paying down the highest interest debt first, as this will save you the most money. For many, credit card debt will be the highest interest debt that they have.

Investing for the Long Term

Long-term investing is essential for building wealth. While the stock market will have its ups and downs, historically, the market has always trended upwards over the long term. This is a far more effective strategy than trying to time the market or trying to get rich quickly. You should have a good investment strategy and take calculated risks to achieve the best long term outcomes.

Budgeting and Planning

Planning and managing your finances is important, even if you only set aside a short amount of time each month. A solid budget and consistent planning will allow you to make smarter financial decisions, while helping you to reach your goals.

Financial Education

Fortunately, there are a lot of free resources that can help you educate yourself about money management. Many blogs and podcasts can be a great place to learn about money and personal finance. Knowledge is power, and investing in your own education is critical for long-term financial success.

Part 4: Maintaining Momentum and Overcoming Challenges

The Cost of Procrastination

Putting off financial decisions can lead to missed opportunities and potential losses. The longer you wait to invest or to save, the more you will lose out on potential investment gains. It’s better to start now, and to avoid further procrastination.

Avoiding Comfort

Do not get too comfortable with your current financial strategies. Be ready to push your limits, and make changes to your strategy when needed. Complacency can stop your progress, so it’s important to always look for ways to improve.

Dealing with Setbacks

Setbacks are a part of life. It is important to keep moving forward despite the obstacles that you will inevitably face. Many others have faced similar challenges. Realizing that you are not alone in these struggles will allow you to move through the setbacks with resilience.

The Importance of Consistency

Consistency is absolutely crucial for your long-term success. Even a small amount of money that is consistently saved and invested can compound into significant gains over time.

Conclusion

You have the power to stop making excuses and start creating wealth. Take action, adopt a positive mindset, and focus on solutions. Take responsibility for your financial life today, and make the change that you have been putting off. Everyone has the power to change their financial trajectory; what you need to do is get started.

Okay, I’d be happy to create a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions and answers to help you stop making excuses and start achieving your financial goals! I’ll be sure to keep it helpful and cheerful, and use a first-person perspective, just as you asked.

Frequently Asked Questions: Overcoming Excuses and Building Success

1. What is the primary mindset shift needed to stop making excuses and achieve goals? I’ve found that a key shift is replacing the word “but” with “and” in your thoughts and statements. This simple change forces your mind to focus on possibilities and solutions instead of limitations and obstacles. For example, instead of thinking, “I want to do this but…”, try rephrasing it to “I want to do this and I will find a way to achieve it”. This small but powerful change in language can trigger a shift in perspective from feeling stuck to being proactive and solution-oriented.
2. What are some common business-related “excuses” that I might be making? Many people think they need a professionally designed logo, a fully developed website, a blog, a professional headshot, and a virtual assistant to start making money. I’ve learned that these aren’t essential starting points. It’s important to focus on your existing skills, networking, and providing value to clients directly, especially in the beginning.
3. How should I define my net worth, and why is tracking it so important? Your net worth is the difference between your total assets (things you own that have value) and your total liabilities (your debts). Tracking your net worth is important because it gives you a clear picture of your financial health and progress over time. As your investments grow and your debts decrease, your net worth increases, providing a measurable goal that helps you understand if your financial efforts are paying off.
4. What are some of the most common money excuses, and why are they holding me back? I’ve identified these top five money excuses that you may also be making:
   • “I don’t have time to budget and look at my personal finances.” This ignores that you can find the time if you prioritize it.
   • “Personal finance is too confusing.” This is often rooted in a lack of education, but there are plenty of free resources available that make it easy to understand.
   • “It’s too hard to get out of debt.” This ignores the reality that it’s possible to pay down debt, especially high-interest debt like credit card debt.
   • “I’ll worry about it later.” Putting things off can cause you to miss out on potential investment gains and other opportunities.
   • “What if I lose money?” This stems from the misconception that investing is gambling, when long-term investments in a diverse portfolio have historically provided gains. These excuses are problematic because they prevent you from taking the necessary actions to improve your financial situation, leading to stagnation or even decline in your financial well-being.
5. How can putting things off affect my financial future? Putting off important financial decisions such as saving for retirement, paying down debt, or investing can lead to you missing out on potential growth over time. I’ve learned that the power of compound interest and potential investment gains are lost when you delay. Also, neuroscience research has shown that making decisions actually makes you happier, and putting it off may reduce life satisfaction.
6. Why is it important to confront my debt head-on, even when it seems overwhelming? It’s important to confront your debt immediately, because the longer you avoid it, the harder it becomes to manage. I know that you should target high-interest debt first and make consistent efforts to decrease it. Ignoring debt can result in a snowball effect where the interest accrues, it becomes harder to pay back, and your financial picture gets worse. There are also psychological and emotional burdens that are lifted once you conquer your debt.
7. What does it mean to “never get too comfortable” with my financial strategy? “Never get too comfortable” means recognizing when your current financial strategy has plateaued and then proactively pushing yourself to the next level. Even if your finances are stable, and you are paying your bills on time, it’s important to seek out ways to increase your savings and investment rates and improve other parts of your financial picture. I believe that this mindset is crucial because financial situations can change unexpectedly. Being proactive will help you take advantage of new opportunities and be prepared for life’s uncertainties. It’s all about a continuous process of striving for progress and growth.
8. What is the main message that all of this information conveys about taking control of one’s life and finances? The core message is about taking personal responsibility and proactive action instead of making excuses. I’ve learned that you have the power to create the success you desire. By overcoming the tendency to find excuses, being consistent in your efforts, focusing on your goals with the right mentality, educating yourself on ways to improve, and making conscious choices, you can gain control over your life and build the wealth you want.