We all know someone who can’t seem to finish what they start.

Maybe it’s you. And there’s usually a raft of reasons or, let’s be honest, excuses that come up.

“I don’t have the time,” is a classic. Or how about, “It’s just not the right moment?”

Sounds familiar?

This article is all about those excuses we use to justify not completing our tasks.

It’s time to lift the lid and expose the top 10 excuses used by people who never finish what they start.

1) “I don’t have the time”

The classic time excuse. It’s a favorite among people who never seem to finish what they start.

“I’m just too busy,” they’ll tell you. “There aren’t enough hours in the day.” 

Here’s the truth: we make time for what’s important to us.

Yes, life can be hectic and unpredictable.

But if we’re honest with ourselves, it’s not usually a lack of time that’s the issue, but how we choose to spend it.

When someone uses this excuse, they’re essentially saying that the task at hand isn’t a priority. And while that may be hard to accept, trust me, acknowledging it is the first step toward change.

Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, okay? It’s all about what we do with them. 

2) “I’m not ready yet”

I’ve caught myself saying this more times than I’d like to admit.

“I’m not ready yet” – it sounds reasonable, doesn’t it?

It’s as if I’m waiting for that perfect moment when all the stars align, and everything feels just right.

But deep down, we all know that this moment rarely comes.

I remember when I wanted to start learning a new language. I kept telling myself I wasn’t ready yet, that I needed more time to prepare, more resources, or maybe a sign.

But in reality, I was just scared of failing or not being good enough. This excuse is a safety net. It gives us the illusion of progress without the risk of failure.

The hard truth is, readiness is often less about external factors and more about our internal decision to just start.

Maybe imperfectly and uncertainly, but start nonetheless.

3) “I’m waiting for the right moment”

This excuse often follows closely on the heels of “I’m not ready yet.” It’s another way of saying that the conditions aren’t perfect yet for me to begin.

I’ve found myself using this excuse, especially after convincing myself that I’m not ready. It’s as if I’m waiting for a sign or an ideal set of circumstances to magically appear.

For instance, when I thought about starting a fitness routine, I kept waiting for the ‘right moment’ – maybe when work was less hectic, or when I had the perfect gym setup.

But gradually, I realized that this elusive ‘right moment’ is often a moving target, always just out of reach.

So, here’s the deal:

Waiting for the perfect timing can be an endless loop. Believe it or not, there’s rarely a perfect moment for anything.

Life is unpredictable and waiting for the ideal time often means waiting forever. 

4) “I don’t have the right resources”

This is another common excuse.

I mean, how many times have you said “I need more money to get started”?

Sometimes, it’s not just about money — it could be about not having the right equipment, the ideal workspace, or even the perceived necessary skills.

But did you know that many great achievements have been born out of scarcity?

The thing is that limited resources often force creativity and innovation, pushing individuals to find unique solutions and workarounds.

Numerous successful businesses and projects have started with minimal budgets, using just the basic tools available to them.

Take the story of Spanx, for instance.

Sara Blakely started the now-famous shapewear company with just $5,000 saved from selling fax machines door-to-door.

She didn’t have a background in fashion or design, nor did she have a team of investors. What she had was an idea and the determination to see it through, even when resources were tight.

To me, this clearly states that the lack of resources can be more of a mental barrier than a physical one.

5) “I’m afraid of failure”

Fear of failure is a potent deterrent. Nobody likes to fail.

And of course, it can be daunting to start something when you’re not sure you can succeed.

But here’s the catch – failure is a part of life.

It’s how we learn, grow, and ultimately succeed.

By avoiding starting a task due to fear of failure, we’re essentially choosing stagnation over growth.

When you find yourself using this excuse, remember that every successful person has failed at some point.

The key is to see failure not as the end, but as a stepping stone towards success.

So face your fear, take that first step, and remember – the only real failure is not trying at all.

6) “It’s just too hard”

This excuse is an emotional one, often stemming from feelings of overwhelm or inadequacy. “It’s just too hard,” we say, when faced with a task that seems insurmountable.

But here’s something to remember – it’s okay for things to be hard. In fact, it’s often the hard things that bring us the most growth and satisfaction once accomplished.

Whenever this excuse creeps up, take a moment to acknowledge your feelings. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed.

But don’t let that stop you from starting. Break the task down into manageable chunks, and take it one step at a time.

Remember, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And every step you take, no matter how small, is one step closer to your goal. Don’t let the fear of difficulty hold you back from starting your journey.

7) “I’m not good enough”

Ever wondered why even capable people stall projects with the thought, “I’m not good enough”?

This excuse often stems from imposter syndrome, where individuals doubt their abilities despite evidence of their competence.

It’s a psychological trap that convinces us we’re bound to fail or be exposed as frauds, leading to a cycle of unfinished tasks.

Abd guess what?

This mindset can be a significant barrier to completing or even starting tasks and projects.

The thought of “I’m not good enough” often arises when facing new challenges or stepping out of comfort zones.

It’s a defense mechanism, protecting us from potential failure or criticism.

However, this self-doubt can be paralyzing, preventing us from taking action and pursuing our goals.

Psychologically, overcoming this excuse involves building self-efficacy and resilience.

You see, everyone starts somewhere, and skills are developed through experience and practice, not innate talent.

With time, patience, and practice, you’ll get better. 

8) “It’s not the perfect idea”

Perfectionism can be a major roadblock.

We often wait for the perfect idea or the flawless plan to start.

But no idea is ever perfect from the get-go.

In fact, this excuse is a common trap that can lead to a perpetual cycle of inaction.

The quest for the perfect idea often becomes an endless pursuit, where no concept seems good enough to execute. This relentless search for perfection can actually stifle creativity and progress.

It’s important to remember that most successful projects evolve and improve over time.

They start as rough drafts or basic concepts that are refined through experience, feedback, and adaptation.

Just allow yourself to start with an imperfect idea, and you’ll see how you’ll open the door to unexpected developments and improvements. 

10) “I’m waiting for motivation”

And here we are at the final, yet perhaps the most revealing excuse: “I’m waiting for motivation.”

How often have you found yourself saying this? Waiting for a surge of inspiration or a wave of motivation to get you started on a project or goal?

But let’s be honest, how frequently does this magical motivation actually appear?

The simple truth is that this motivation is not something that spontaneously happens to us. It’s something we create through action.

It’s a common misconception that motivation leads to action, but often, it’s the other way around.

Action breeds motivation, not the other way around.

Final thoughts: Turning excuses into action

Now it’s clear that overcoming these mental barriers is key to achieving our goals.

The excuses we tell ourselves might seem comforting in the short term, but they ultimately hold us back from realizing our full potential.

To shift from excuses to action, consider these simple yet effective strategies:

• Set small, achievable goals: Break down your projects into smaller tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
• Create a routine: Establish a daily or weekly routine to build momentum.
• Seek accountability: Share your goals with a friend or a mentor who can hold you accountable.

In the end, it’s about taking those first steps, however small they may be, and gradually building the momentum to see things through.