"If you really want to do something you will find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse."
- Jim Rohn
If you thought about it for a few minutes, you can probably come up with five to ten things you have been intending to do for the last month, but for some reason, have not made the commitment to follow through. I came up with more than ten intentions. They can even be simple tasks like reaching out to a friend of mine to say hello, or organizing my closet and tossing out or donating anything I have not touched or worn in a couple years. I can come up with numerous reasons why I don't follow through on my intentions, but my biggest excuse is typically, "I don't feel like it."
I know there is usually an underlying reason for my excuse. With reaching out to that friend, I know it's been a while and I feel awkward about it. With organizing my closet, I know I will hem and haw about whether or not I should get rid of a number of shirts because I just can't seem to let go of them, even though they fell out of rotation a while ago. So why do I intend to do these things but neglect to follow through on just getting it done? I thought about this and realized that in my heart of hearts, I know I should do it, but my over-analytical mind wants to put it off just a little while longer to avoid the hard part.
Photo by Rene Asmussen on Pexels
I also came to the realization that my friend would be happy to hear from me. I know he is just like me and avoids reaching out to people he has not spoken to in a while. I know we will both feel better after the call and have caught up on each other's lives. I know I will also have a sense of satisfaction after tossing or donating those clothes in my closet that I no longer wear and never will. I'll also have room for new clothes! So, even though I don't feel like it when it pops up on my mental agenda, I have to remind myself that I made those intentions for a reason. It's on me to follow through and commit to getting it done.
I have mentioned how I use accountability partners to help me follow through on my commitments, but it's not usually for these smaller tasks that seem fairly easy to do. Make a phone call. Get rid of some clothes. I realize it would help to have some accountability on the smaller stuff too. I guess I will have to call that friend and have him follow up with me next week to make sure I cleaned out my closet. It's on me to make that call!
What intentions have you been putting off lately that seem fairly simple to do? What excuses have you been making to keep putting them off? It's on you to make that follow-through.
More wellness!
