The worst excuse

I’m a runner at heart. Always have been. As a young kid growing up in Yorkshire, physical education lessons usually evolved around cross country running or cricket. The only catch was that cricket would be played if it wasn’t raining and, in the Pennines, that did not happen that frequently.  Thus, cross country it was. I did not mind to much for two reasons:

1. I wasn’t half bad at cross country and ended up running for the county at several meets
2. I was absolutely terrible at cricket and (as a Yorkshireman – very difficult to understand) I did not like the sport that much. This was compounded by the fact I was always picked to play on the boundaries where, given we were all 12 year olds – no action took place. Cricket lessons were thus a time for reflection and gazing up at the sky wondering when PE will finish.

I’ve continued to run throughout my life. Not only for the fitness aspect but a means of relaxation, detachment, a moment just for me. You could say – a means of escape but in the emotional sense. Only in rugby have I had to run to escape, usually due to a 6 foot second row wanting to flatten me and indiscreetly push my face into the mud.

If I can find 30 minutes during the day and have the luxury of being in a place granting me fresh air and space, I’ll go.  So given I’ve been running for a while, recently, whilst out on a jog between calls, I found myself say something which literally stopped me in my tracks.

“I’m wearing the wrong t-shirt”

The magic hour

Let me explain.

You can pretty much guarantee that between 12h and 13h there are no calls or meetings organized, which means this is probably the only time to stretch your legs and experience the wonderful, fleeting feeling or NOT being in front of the computer. The thing is – everyone else has the same guarantee, so during this magic hour runners merge and converge on the nearest green area possible. As extraterrestrial investigators would say “you are not alone”. Sometimes, given your state of mind this can be motivating making you want to run a little faster, other times you’re just gasping for a bit of freedom and solitude.

There are varying degrees of runner and a wide range of speeds, techniques and outfits. Listening to music, on the phone, chatting with co-runners, gasping for air. Faces full or determination, fear, exhaustion, boredom, exhilaration. And then there are runners who’ve just bought 1000€ trainers and spend the next 30 minutes retying laces “cos it’s just a little too tight”.

The best excuses

On my usual circuit I pass and get passed by numerous people.

If I pass – depending on the person I feel good about myself, show-off. Yes I am shallow!

If I’m passed, I can usually find a good reason. Previous examples are:

• That runners only just started and I’m on my 5th kilometer
• That runner’s younger than (happens more frequently)
• That runner’s brick training and this is the sprint

I can excuse myself of course, be it true or an extension of the truth

• I did not sleep well last night
• I have a slight cough
• I did not eat enough at breakfast

On this particular day before going out for the lunch time escape I looked out of the window and concluded it was cold and I could need a baselayer. I got equipped for my cold run and started only to realize that it was indeed a nicely warm and I was regretting plastering on the layers. When I was eventually passed by someone in a short sleeve t-shirt, more adapted to the current climate, my excuse was :

“I’m wearing the wrong t-shirt”……and that’s why I was passed!

That’s not even an excuse but that’s what I said to myself.

I literally stopped in my tracks. I was only half way round my run, probably the furthest point from my home, yet I walked back. Not because I was tired (although I could have used that as a viable excuse), not because I was disappointed, it was to reflect on why I was looking for excuses in the first place and scrapping the barrel with my t-shirt to justify my performance.

Excuses have ultimately negative connotations

There are thousands of quotes abut making excuses. Mostly focusing on “excuses are because you can’t do something due to will power, inner strength blah blah.” Pretty much negative stuff which is certainly not inspiring nor motivating.

Example - "He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” —Benjamin Franklin

Great. Many thanks for that motivational incentive Mr. Frankin.

In fact I’ve been hard pressed to research something which can put a positive edge on making excuses. I mean nothing. Not even funny stuff.

Which means there is a very clear and undeniable conclusion here:

If there’s no positive, inspirational, motivational drive on making excuses, and if you do, practically any quote denotes the fact you are a lesser being for doing so – JUST DON’T. There does not seem to be much point.

Alternatives to excuses

This is indeed not what I wanted to find out, or to live with but a least it’s dead easy. But what to replace making excuses with?  Unfortunately, this seems to be very little in the way of help here.

If I’m passed by someone, it’s for a viable reason. That person, at that particular moment is faster than me. Here are the following responses:

1. I could make an excuse to make myself feel better.
2. I could run faster to catch the person up.
3. I could just not think about it as it’s not important
4. I could identify why I’m lacking and look to improve if possible

And I’m not happy about any of them. Obviously response 4 highlights development which is essential in both professional and personal lives, but its not what I expected to conclude whilst writing this.

Of course this is not only about running but any situation where excuses can be used.

Excuses are wrong and pretty much useless. That’s a fact. What to replace it with, which is ultimately more positive, is difficult and I believe this is why we use excuses. It’s a quick feel-good solution to a situation which has a limited number of alternatives.

However I’m working on it and would love to have a truly solid answer to this. And I would really like you help on this too.

What can excuses be replaced with?