How to Stop Making Excuses and Excel by Adrean Turner

It’s the time of the year when you’ve most likely created a list of resolutions. You are determined that this time will be different. You won’t quit. You won’t get distracted. You’re going to stick with your plan for a new start. However, sadly enough the odds aren’t in your favor. According to U.S. News, approximately 80 percent of resolutions fail by the second week of February. What’s the common denominator? Excuses.  

For most individuals, it’s much easier to think of ways something can’t be done versus how it can be done. Many of us have a series of excuses that we can pull out of a hat at a moment’s notice. We make excuses mostly to protect ourselves and to justify our current circumstances. But these limiting beliefs hinder our chances for success. Consider these excuses and commit to the solutions: 

1. “I DON’T KNOW HOW.” This common excuse gives you permission to not even try.  

• SOLUTION: Get support. At no time in the history of mankind has there been so much information and resources available. Want to start a charity? There are hundreds of books on the subject. Need to lose 100 lbs.? There are thousands of CDs, videos, and blogs to support you. Want to change careers? Consult a coach or mentor. Or simply try and then adjust your approach based on your results. 

2. “I’M AFRAID.” Who hasn’t been afraid to try something new, to step out of the box, to move beyond their comfort zone? Most of our fears are socially based and have no real consequences. 

• SOLUTION: Ask yourself what’s the worst thing that can happen. Once you have determined the worst-case scenarios, you’ll realize that the fear is a disguise to kill your dreams and stifle your growth. Then list the best things that can happen. You’ll recognize that your success is more important than the fears that are holding you back. 

“Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and FOCUS on what could go right!”  —Coach Adrean  

3. “I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME.” If your heart is in it, then you will make the time for what’s truly important to you. 

• SOLUTION: Create a list of the things you do on a daily basis from the moment you awaken until the end of the day. Record your activities in 15-minute blocks. Include everything from talking on the phone, surfing the Internet, to watching television. After doing this for one week, most people are able to find at least three hours to dedicate to a new activity or adventure.  

4. “I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.” There is usually a way to work around a lack of financial resources. 

• SOLUTION: Find alternatives. For example, if you’re looking to increase your skills but can’t afford college tuition, there are other ways to enhance your credentials. For instance, volunteer at a nonprofit organization, get certification in a particular skill, or intern for a small company on your days off. If you are a business owner, consider bartering (trading your services or products). There is always a way. You just may have to work a little harder to find solutions to support your growth. 

“If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.” —Coach Adrean 

5. “IT’S TOO LATE FOR ME.” It’s never too late to become what you might have been. A person climbed Mount Everest in his eighties. People have gone back to medical school in their sixties. Getting a late start might be less convenient and more challenging, but there’s nothing wrong with that. 

• SOLUTION: Figure out what interests you, influences you, and motivates you. Build a plan for the challenges that are really important to you and take one step at a time to complete your goals. 

6. “IT’S TOO HARD.” Some endeavors are certainly more difficult than others. But claiming that something is “too hard” is really just another way of admitting that you’re afraid. People with limited resources and talent can still be extremely successful. 

• SOLUTION: Set your mind on success! Those with motivation and stamina are really the ones who succeed. Get an accountability partner. Read encouraging stories. Practice affirmations. Do what’s necessary to keep your thoughts and energy centered on a successful outcome. 

“The way you eat an elephant is one bite at a time.” —Coach Adrean 

Your success is dependent on effort. No action, no results. Break your tasks into small assignments and keep going until you’ve achieved your goal. It’s time to make some changes. Transformation isn’t always easy, but it is necessary for your success. Remind yourself of the reasons why you started in the first place. And have the courage to put aside your excuses and go after what you truly want. You’ll be glad you did! 

Train your brain to take actions to make your goals a reality through positive thinking. Download Power Thoughts with self-reflection activities to stay F.I.T.™ (Fearless. Inspired. Transformed.) and gain greater success. 

This post originally appeared here on www.coachadrean.com. Get more information and inspiration in Adrean’s book, F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success.

Set Goals and Succeed by Adrean Turner

If you find yourself going over and over your decisions and doubting yourself, I’ve got a solution for you. You can experience a profound freedom from doubt and gain the confidence and energy you need to excel by setting goals. 

Setting goals is a way to chart a course for your success. It helps you identify your priorities, reflect your values, and reveal time-wasters, obstacles, and weaknesses so you know where to focus and how to get there. You’ll free up your mental resources for other tasks by making important decisions beforehand. 

Check out the video below to learn the five rules of goal setting! More information, strategies, and tips can be found in my book F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success. Order at major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble today! 

Get more information and inspiration in Adrean’s book, F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success, or visit www.coachadrean.com. 

6 Excuses That Limit Your Success by Adrean Turner

You’ve decided that 2018 is your year of acceleration in your life! You are determined that this time will be different. You won’t quit. You won’t get distracted. You’re going to stick with your plan for a new start. Maybe you even declared it a New Year’s resolution. Sadly, the odds aren’t in your favor. The fact is only a tiny fraction of people keep their resolutions. University of Scranton research suggests that just 8 percent of people achieve their New Year’s goals. What’s the common denominator? EXCUSES. 

For most individuals, it’s much easier to think of ways something can’t be done versus how it can be done. Many of us have a series of excuses that we can pull out of a hat at a moment’s notice. We make excuses mostly to protect ourselves and to justify our current circumstances. But these limiting beliefs limit our chances for success. Consider these excuses and commit to the solutions:

1. “I DON’T KNOW HOW.” This common excuse gives you permission to not even try.

• SOLUTION: Get support. At no time in the history of mankind has there been so much information and so many resources available. Want to start a charity? There are hundreds of books on the subject. Need to lose 100 pounds? There are thousands of CDs, videos, and blogs to support you. Want to change careers? Consult a coach or mentor. Or simply try and then adjust your approach based on your results.

2. “I’M AFRAID.” Who hasn’t been afraid to try something new, to step out of the box, to move beyond their comfort zone? Most of our fears are socially based and have no real consequences.

• SOLUTION: Ask yourself what’s the worst thing that can happen. Once you have determined the worst case scenarios you’ll realize that the fear is a disguise to kill your dreams and stifle your growth. Then list the best things that can happen. You’ll recognize that your success is more important than the fears that are holding you back.

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and FOCUS on what could go right!

3. “I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME.” If your heart is in it then you will make the time for what’s truly important to you.

• SOLUTION: Create a list of the things you do on a daily basis from the moment you wake up until the end of the day. Record your activities in fifteen-minute blocks. Include everything from talking on the phone, to surfing the Internet, to watching television. After doing this for one week, most people are able to find at least three hours to dedicate to a new activity or adventure.

4. “I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.” There is usually a way to work around a lack of financial resources.

• SOLUTION: Find alternatives. For example, if you’re looking to increase your skills but can’t afford college tuition, there are other ways to enhance your credentials. For instance, volunteer at a non-profit organization, get certification in a particular skill, or intern for a small company on your days off. If you are business owner, consider bartering (trading your services or products). There is always a way. You just may have to work a little harder to find solutions to support your growth.

5. “IT’S TOO LATE FOR ME.” It’s never too late to become what you might have been. A person climbed Mount Everest in his eighties. People have gone back to medical school in their sixties. Getting a late start might be less convenient and more challenging, but there’s nothing wrong with that.

• SOLUTION: Figure out what interests you, influences you, and motivates you. Build a plan for the challenges that are really important to you and take one step at a time to complete your goals.

6. “IT’S TOO HARD.” Some endeavors are certainly more difficult than others. But claiming that something is “too hard” is really just another way of admitting that you’re afraid. People with limited resources and talent can still be extremely successful.

• SOLUTION: Set your mind on success! Those with motivation and stamina are really the ones who succeed. Get an accountability partner. Read encouraging stories. Practice affirmations. Do what’s necessary to keep your thoughts and energy centered on a successful outcome.

The way you eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

Your success is dependent on effort. No action, no results. Break your tasks into small assignments and keep going until you’ve achieved your goal. It’s time to make some changes. Transformation isn’t always easy, but it is necessary for your success. Remind yourself of the reasons why you started in the first place. And have the courage to put aside your excuses and go after what you truly want. You’ll be glad you did!

Get more information and inspiration in Adrean’s book, F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success, or visit www.coachadrean.com.

Get Into Position and Excel! By Adrean Turner

There are certain aspects of success that involve chance or luck. For instance, someone you know has a personal relationship with a hiring manager of a company that you want to join. They provide a referral, and you are able to bypass the cumbersome online application process and receive an immediate interview. That’s a benefit of chance. 

But in many cases, success doesn’t just happen. It is dependent on you! You are responsible for setting the stage and positioning yourself for opportunities that can lead to goal achievement. 

Consider this situation. After being frustrated for months with her job, one of my group coaching clients packed up her entire family and moved to the West Coast for a new opportunity. Although it wasn’t her ideal position, she was confident that it provided an environment where she could fully contribute and excel. Just as luck would have it, three months later, her director resigned, creating an opportunity for a promotion. Because of the work ethic she demonstrated and the relationships she built in that short time period, she was offered the role. She made a choice to take a chance to achieve the change she desired in her career, and it paid off. She positioned herself to succeed. 

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” ~Seneca

No matter what you are trying to accomplish or become successful with—a career transition, a promotion, more time with family, better relationships with others, or a healthier lifestyle—these tips can help. 

1. Pursue Progress and Forget Perfection
   The goal is moving forward, not how fast you go or how well you do it. Small steps forward add up to a lot of mileage over time. As you succeed, you’ll learn and improve along the way. Get your footing and follow through on the tasks you’ve identified that will help you to excel. 

2. Manage Your Time
   If your activities don’t align with your vision or mission, it’s time to make some changes. When you’re bored, how do you amuse yourself? What do you do when you procrastinate? How can you add more time to do the things that are helpful for achieving your objectives? Write them down so you can see the impact of your actions or lack of action. The sooner you’re able to stop yourself from indulging in time-wasting activities, the better the odds of success. 

3. Schedule Time to Get Things Done
   Someday is not a day of the week. Eliminate non-essential tasks that are clogging your calendar. Be purposeful in allocating time to get things accomplished. Begin by starting small (if it’s necessary). Schedule 30 minutes a day for working toward accomplishing your goals. Focus on staying engaged, and record your progress daily to stay motivated. 

4. Meet More People
   You often hear that it’s what you know or who you know that leads to success. Another contributing fact that matters is who knows you. Surveys reveal that personal referrals are the top means of how jobs are filled. One survey conducted in partnership with LinkedIn reveals that up to 85 percent of jobs could be filled that way. Networking helps you connect with mentors, customers, colleagues, and people of influence. Get the word out about who you are and what you are trying to accomplish. Use every opportunity to increase your exposure by sharing valuable information and insights that demonstrate your brand and that supports those who engage with you. 

5. Build a Support System
   Reaching your goals will involve talent, persistence, patience, and other people. According to Nielsen’s Trust In Advertising report, 84 percent of consumers say they either completely or somewhat trust recommendations from family, colleagues, and friends about products and services—making these recommendations the highest-ranked source for trustworthiness. 
   
   In order to sell yourself or a product, create your own advisory board. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, inspire you, make you laugh, add value to your life, and who will vouch for you. The strongest method of success is when others do the work for you, whether that is through encouragement, information, or a recommendation. If you can get others to support you, the chances of your success are multiplied. 

Don’t sit around idling…waiting for success to knock on your door. Move forward and be your best self! Get into position and excel. It’s time! 

Get more information and inspiration in Adrean’s book, F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success, or visit www.coachadrean.com. To receive this e-book, click here and get it now. 

4 Steps to Success with Small Wins by Adrean Turner

Most people achieve success one experience at a time. Leaders from Bill Gates to Barbara Corcoran attest that they were able to reach their career goals by individual steps or small wins. 

Business experts and social scientists agree that modest victories provide major motivation to stay engaged along the journey of success. Per the progress principle, based on a multi-year study by researchers at Harvard Business School, of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions, the single most important factor is making progress in meaningful work. And the more frequently people experience that sense of progress, the more likely they are to be creatively productive in the long run. Whether they are trying to solve a major scientific mystery or simply produce a high-quality product or service, everyday progress—even a small win—can make all the difference in how they feel and perform.  

“People who succeed have momentum. The more they succeed the more they want to succeed, and the more they find a way to succeed.” ~ Tony Robbins

Try these steps to small-win success: 

1. CREATE

According to the Harvard team, one factor that encourages small wins is related to how you work. The catalyst factor includes events that directly enable progress in the work. These actions include developing clear goals, managing your time and resources effectively, and practicing open communication to influence productivity. 

“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

2. RELATE  

A second factor that encourages small wins is “nourishers.” Interpersonal support can ignite and expedite your progress. Build relationships with colleagues and mentors who provide validation and constructive feedback. Nourishers can have a powerful influence on your performance. Involvement in personal or professional groups that are aligned with your mission and goals will enable you to cultivate those interactions. 

“Success doesn’t always come from the big actions we take, but from the sum of the small actions we repeat.” ~ Robert Collier

3. STATE

Considering the challenges of pursuing your dream career, starting a new business, or taking on a large project can be overwhelming. Develop an action plan with intermediate goals. Break your activities into groups of small, manageable tasks. You’ll become energized each time you complete a goal.  

“I am a 20-year overnight success!” ~ Steve Harvey

4. ELEVATE

Keep a record of your accomplishments and setbacks. Maintaining a journal of your activities will help you recognize and celebrate miniature milestones that you might otherwise overlook. Tracking your advancement provides clarity to recognize conditions that affect your performance. 

Use the small win strategy for your grand visions to achieve the success you desire for a fulfilling career. 

Adrean Turner is a certified career coach, speaker, professional development trainer, and business consultant. She leverages 25 years of experience in management, marketing, operations, teaching, and training to partner with individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations to achieve their maximum potential. Adrean is the author of a newly published book, F.I.T. for Success, which is based on her syndicated podcast that airs daily on a Philadelphia radio station and Internet channels.