Author: Ann Schiebert
First make a list of all the excuses you allow yourself. Be specific. For example, if you say to yourself, "I am a procrastinator," that is too large an area to tackle in an Excuse Inventory. Excuse Inventories have to be the exact verbiage we tell ourselves. Some examples follow:
- When I want to start a diet and even set a date, but don’t follow through, I tell myself: "Oh well, I’ll start tomorrow." That phrase is on your Excuse Inventory
- When it is 7:00 p.m., and I have set that as the start of study time for the next two hours, but I start at 8:00 p.m. instead, I tell myself, "Oh well, I HAD to watch that TV program – It doesn’t matter, I’ll just study later."
- When I tell myself I can’t text while at work because it is disruptive but I don’t turn off my cell and do accept a text, I tell myself, "I’ll keep it short." "I’ll keep it short," goes on your Excuse Inventory.
- My boyfriend is perpetually late and I rationalize this by telling myself, "He is busy, and I’m lucky that he’s coming over at all." That not only seeds resentments but it puts your boyfriend’s lateness into the, "OK CORRAL."
Take the time to make an Excuse Inventory. It will help you sort out some anger and resentment issues. If anyone wants feedback, email me and I’ll respond.