This excuse is a tough one for me; I use it a lot.  When I say the past still has hold of me, it’s different than saying ‘it’s never worked before’. I’ve used that one too but it’s for a different week.  This one seems to come out more when I’m feeling stressed and inadequate. It usually comes from a completely different direction so if I’m worrying about finances then I start telling myself that I haven’t resolved past relationships and can’t move forward.  If I’m stressing about a relationship then I may tell myself that I never accomplished my goals in a prior career.  It’s something of a distraction mechanism as it gets me worrying about something other than what’s really bothering me, only it’s not productive at all.

I didn’t get this one off of a list in a book, so I could be the only one using this excuse (but I doubt it.)  My best strategy is to simply call it what it is ‘that’s and excuse and NO MORE EXCUSES!’ That seems to silence the inner voice for awhile but it requires repeat applications and constant vigilance. Working on my patience and restricting my worrying is on the goal list too.  Altogether  think I can eliminate this one with some work… I hope.

Next week: ‘I have too many other projects’

Technorati Tags: excuses, stress