“The kids are off this week so things haven’t quite gone to plan.”
I replied, “Is that a reason or an excuse?”
But what’s the difference?
A reason is a genuine barrier. Something real that makes things harder, slower, or messier. It needs adjusting for. Planning around. Working with.
An excuse is a cover story. Something we tell ourselves (and others) to justify not doing what we said we would. Not because we couldn’t… but because we didn’t want to, didn’t prioritise it, or didn’t prepare.
Reasons require adaptation. Excuses require ownership.
Having a reason is fine. Life happens. Pretending an excuse is a reason is where progress dies and you teach yourself that it’s ok to fall short.
This is how I live. And it’s exactly how I coach.
My daughter is off school this week too. My routine isn’t perfect. My schedule isn’t smooth. Things are more chaotic than usual.
That’s a reason.
So I adjust. More long dog walks in the woods or trips to the park. Prioritising clients over social media. Lower expectations of perfection as baking my world famous butterscotch tart was demanded.
Because real life doesn’t have to stop progress. It just changes how progress looks.
Next time something “gets in the way”, ask yourself honestly, is this a reason or an excuse?
Then act accordingly.