I used to believe that if I waited long enough, the motivation to tackle my biggest goals would suddenly show up at my doorstep.

Instead, I found myself going in circles for years, thinking about all the reasons it just wasn’t the right time to make a change.

I noticed that the more I clung to certain excuses, the more I stayed stuck.

That’s why I want to shine a light on the patterns I’ve seen in people who never manage to move forward.

They often rely on the same tired explanations—words that justify their inaction and keep them glued to the same spot.

By the end of this piece, I hope you’ll recognize these seven excuses if they pop up in your life, and feel inspired to step away from them. 

Let’s dive in.

1. “I’m too old now”

Some of the most driven individuals I’ve met started new careers well into their 50s or 60s.

We’re never too old to learn, to try again, or to reshape our path.

But if someone repeatedly says they’re past the prime age for change, it often becomes a shield against discomfort.

I remember feeling this fear in my early 30s when I considered learning a new language. I caught myself thinking, “I’m way too old to pick this up.” In reality,

I just wanted to avoid the awkwardness of speaking incorrectly and being corrected.

Once I admitted that to myself, I realized age wasn’t the problem. My reluctance was.

Before you decide you’re too old to make a pivot, step back and ask what’s really holding you back.

Often, it’s fear of failure rather than the number of candles on your birthday cake.

2. “I just don’t have enough time”

We live in a hectic world, yet we somehow find time for the things we deeply value.

When someone says they don’t have time to chase an important dream or task, it might be that the commitment level isn’t there.

I recall reading something from Mark Manson about the stories we tell ourselves: “We don’t find ourselves, we create ourselves.”

In other words, we choose what we devote our energy to, even when life feels chaotic.

That insight made me realize I was using “no time” as an excuse to avoid stepping out of my comfort zone.

After all, time can be made for anything if it truly matters to us.

According to research from Health Direct, the way we talk to ourselves about time greatly influences our motivation and follow-through.

If you believe you lack time for growth, you’re less likely to schedule meaningful actions into your day. But if you frame your life differently—even by setting small, dedicated blocks for new habits—you’ll discover little pockets of time you never noticed before.

3. “It’s not the right moment”

Waiting for a perfect moment usually means waiting forever. There’s never going to be an ideal time when all the stars align for us to begin a new hobby, switch careers, or simply take better care of our health.

Yet some people stay in limbo, convinced they should wait for the universe to give them a sign.

As Brené Brown once noted, “You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.”

Her words echo the importance of acting on your life’s narrative rather than hoping everything magically falls into place.

Believing in the elusive “right moment” can become a lifelong postponement.

I’m all for mindfulness and trusting our instincts, but there’s a difference between listening to genuine intuition and allowing fear to disguise itself as patience.

Sometimes it’s better to start when things are imperfect because real life rarely arranges itself to be the seamless backdrop we imagine.

4. “I don’t have the right connections”

In today’s digital era, there’s no shortage of ways to meet potential mentors, collaborators, or friends.

Social media, online forums, and community gatherings are more accessible than ever.

Still, I hear people say they can’t move forward because they lack the “right” network. This mindset puts the power in everyone else’s hands.

Let’s consider a quick breakdown of what you can do to change this:

• Show up to local meetups that reflect your interests
• Send polite, well-thought-out messages to people you admire online
• Offer help and value before asking for anything in return
• Keep an eye out for volunteer events or workshops in your field

I’ve seen individuals transform their careers by taking a single brave step in a local group session.

Yes, it can be nerve-wracking to walk into a room of strangers, but it beats staying home and lamenting your lack of connections.

We’re almost done with this point, but I need to emphasize one last detail: the best connections often develop organically.

When you show genuine curiosity and respect for others, the right people start to appear in your life.

Don’t let “I don’t know the right people” be the reason you never move forward.

5. “I’m not smart or talented enough”

This one hits close to home because it’s easy to look around and feel intimidated.

We see people who seem naturally gifted at their craft, and we assume we’ll never measure up.

But talent often grows out of consistent practice and the willingness to learn from mistakes.

Studies have found that persistent effort and good feedback loops can be just as influential to success as inherent ability.

If you believe you lack the intelligence or raw talent, you might stop yourself from practicing in the first place.

That’s how a limiting belief fulfills its own prophecy.

Personally, whenever I try a new yoga pose that I struggle with, I remind myself that expertise comes with repeated attempts.

It wasn’t “natural talent” that helped me hold a challenging pose longer; it was consistent practice and learning from my wobbles. Growth thrives where you feed it.

6. “My past mistakes define me”

We all have regrets and wrong turns behind us. The question is whether we let those experiences trap us or teach us.

Some people use their past as proof they can’t move forward. Maybe they failed at a business before, or they lost a job opportunity.

Whatever it is, they cling to the memory as evidence that they’re doomed to fail again.

I had a close friend once tell me that her divorce meant she couldn’t possibly build a successful partnership in the future.

She was convinced her “failure” in marriage labeled her for life.

But that perspective kept her in a loop of self-doubt, preventing her from envisioning a healthier relationship dynamic.

When we tie our identity to our worst mistakes, we anchor ourselves to a stagnant mindset.

Psychologists believe mindfulness practices can help individuals observe their thoughts without letting shame or fear take over.

It’s not that we erase past experiences. Instead, we view them as lessons rather than final verdicts on our worth or capability.

7. “I can’t do it alone, and nobody will help me”

Feeling isolated can lead to a sense of powerlessness.

While it’s true that having a support system helps, relying on this assumption—that nobody will lend a hand—can become an excuse.

Some people say they have no help before they even reach out or share their goals openly.

I’ve seen how shifting to a minimalist mindset reduced my dependence on external validation. I focused on what I could control first: my own habits, my schedule, and my personal attitude.

When you show up for yourself consistently, others often become more inclined to support you.

It’s like a domino effect; your commitment can spark encouragement from unexpected places.

Let’s not miss this final point: sometimes, you need to be the first one to step up and ask for help or seek a community.

In many cultures, there’s a stigma around admitting you need support, yet genuine vulnerability can open doors.

There is no shame in speaking up. If you want people to help you, let them know how and why it matters to you.

Final thoughts

We’ve covered seven excuses that often keep people in a cycle of laziness and stagnation.

It’s easy to slip into one or more of these patterns, especially when life feels overwhelming. I still catch myself drifting toward them from time to time.

But stepping out of that loop begins with identifying the story you’re telling yourself.

Whether it’s a belief about your age, your time, or your talent, there’s always a chance to rewrite the narrative.

If you recognize any of these excuses, you have a choice: keep repeating them, or call them out for what they are—ways to avoid short-term discomfort.

True movement in life often starts with facing what’s uncomfortable and doing it anyway.