No More Excuses

This is not a post that will promise success. It simply will help you understand that the reasons you say, “I can’t because,” are nothing more than an excuse. Do not let an excuse stand between you and your goal or dream. Educate yourself and run with your idea. I have given advice and helped many people launch their idea—not all were successful; however, they at least gave it an honest effort and tried. They were able to get past the “I can’t” and started doing what they dreamed. I am a firm believer that passion and effort will take you anywhere you want to be. That being said, let’s dive in and look at the biggest “excuses” for not chasing your dream.

Money: "The Almighty Dollar"

One of the biggest excuses I hear is “I don’t have the money.” What you may not know is that there are a TON of free resources available. Or maybe you knew but assumed that because it was free “you get what you pay for.” I say take everything you can get that is free. What does it hurt? You may eventually want to upgrade to paid versions of the service, and that is fine, but when you are starting out take advantage.

A good example is software. There are many options for free business software, and they are free for a variety of reasons (it may be new and they want to get the word out, or maybe it is open source). The point is if you cannot afford the big-name software start with one of the freebies.

LibreOffice, Google Docs, Apache Open Office, and others. A simple internet search can find you free business software for accounting, documentation, reporting, databases and more.

You do not need to teleport back in time to barter for services. It is perfectly acceptable to offer a trade of services instead of paying cash. Simply figure out how much the person is charging for their services and offer your services of equal value as a trade. For example, if you are a website designer and have a contact who is a bookkeeper, an arrangement can be made exchanging services. Or, if you want to travel in an RV, you could offer your expertise for a free campsite and hookups. It’s OK to get creative when acquiring goods and services.

Sponsorship is something many people benefit from greatly. Finding like-minded people or people who believe in your idea or goal and are willing to help. Some offers will be small, but every little bit counts, and many small donations can add up. Sponsorship can happen in many ways from marketing yourself and goals: for example, finding companies looking to sponsor people or setting up a simple Indiegogo account (there is a lot to be said for internet crowdfunding). Open an Indiegogo account with a serious attitude. Write a business plan. Outline your goal and what you will be doing with the money. You are presenting to the general public and companies. There are people who will be interested in helping you reach your goal because they believe in you and your idea. Indiegogo is not the only company that is available for launching your ideas; you can also check out Rockethub, Kickstarter or Fundable. When using any of these services, be sure to do your research, and make sure what they offer is right for your goals.

Marketing is another area where you do not need money. Social media is a wonderful resource for free marketing. LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WordPress, and YouTube are all avenues that can be utilized for marketing and building a brand. Personal accounts are free and when utilized can generate a large following and customer base. If the idea of figuring out how to use these for-free marketing websites is scary to you, there are countless blogs, videos and how-to sites that will take you step-by-step.

Which leads me to the next excuse…

I don't know how????

In a world where everything—and I do mean EVERYTHING—is available at the tips of your fingers, I believe ignorance is a choice. Another great thing about the wonderful world of learning online is you can educate yourself on ANY subject or task, and you can do so in a variety of learning styles. For those who learn best by reading, the resources are endless. For those who are more visual, the videos are countless. Those who are more auditory, the podcasts and lectures are unlimited.

The depth of education you are seeking will determine how you approach your liber education. If you are simply looking for the basics, a quick search from your favorite browser will give you a long list of sites to visit for a brief how-to. If you are looking for something more formal and on par with classroom style learning there are courses you can sign up for that will do more than just scratch the surface. You can start off with free courses or find a YouTube channel dedicated to your specific subject. There are, of course, classes and training you can pay for as well, it all depends on if money is one of your excuses.

These courses can take you from start to finish having zero knowledge when setting out to achieve your goal. They cover every step from beginner to advanced. Personally, I have taught myself many things from scouring the internet. I have taught myself web design, basic coding, photography, videography, and editing. I'm not claiming to be a master of those skills; however, I do learn new things daily to improve my skills. I review my projects from years ago and compare them to now and marvel at the improvements.

There are a couple old-school ways to learn that I think some people tend to forget about because we are in the age of all things digital. You cannot go wrong spending time at the library; the resources there are wonderful, and the librarians are one of those resources you do not want to miss out on. The other old-school way to learn is to meet people that have the knowledge that you are seeking. Talk to them, spend time with them asking questions. These people are usually more than happy to share their knowledge and mentor others.

Another excuse used a lot is…

Lack Of Support

People need encouragement and good advice. Not everyone has that in a significant other, family, or friends. Maybe your circle is very small, or you are in a new area and don’t know anyone yet. This is where networking and getting your face in the place comes into play.

Join groups of people with similar interests, local clubs allow you to learn, get that needed social support, and possibly find that mentor. It could serve as a springboard for building a client base and possibly sponsors. Local libraries are a good place to start or check the pin-up boards at local restaurants. Ask for introductions; you always hear “I have a friend that is into that.” Your immediate reply should be, “I’d like to meet that person. Can you introduce us?”

Again, everything you need is at the tips of your fingers, online groups are another way to meet people—Facebook groups, Google groups, LinkedIn. Follow and comment on Twitters and Instagrams that you follow or chat rooms hosted by sites specific to your interests or goals. Some of the free courses you take will also have chat available; utilize it.

Time: "Tick Tock"

The number one excuse I hear is "I don’t have the time." Face it: If it is important, then you will make the time. You might have to skip the new episode of the latest and greatest show—DVR it. You may need to stay up a little late or wake up a little early. You may need to use your weekend relax time. I am not saying you will find large amounts of time, but there is always time for something that is important; you find it, and even if it is not a lot you still use it to work toward your goal. Any progress is a step in the direction of your dream.

Like I said I am not promising you success. But realize that your “reasons” for not adventuring into something you really desire are nothing more than excuses. Stop looking for reasons you can’t, and don’t stop at every little speed bump. Chase your dream, and you will never have the regret that you didn’t even try.