Excuse: v. to attempt to (delay and/or escape) and/or avoid a subset(s) and/or to attempt to subtract blame for an (unfulfilled promise and/or mistake) and/or offense and trying to defend and/or justify the action(s) and/or inaction(s) with a real valid reason and/or lie
We are frequently tempted to make excuses when we
don’t want to do something or want to escape it,
want to delay something,
want to avoid something,
don’t fulfill a promise,
make a mistake which we would want to hide, and
do something offensive or bad which we are ashamed of.
Sometimes excuses are believable and true such as being late because you got stuck in city traffic but some excuses are actually lies designed to be believable but in fact are not factual. Not attending an important event may be accompanied by a lie that you were too busy with other important priorities and could not attend.
You can get somewhat talented at making untrue excuses over time and turn into a compulsive liar which is not good for your good reputation once you get caught in a lying excuse as you inevitably will be given enough time.
Even if no one catches you in a lying excuse, humans tend to eventually avoid or disrespect humans who are constantly coming up with excuses for not doing something, making mistakes, not fulfilling promises, and behaving badly.
Instead of making excuses say no politely if you don’t want to do something, learn from your mistakes and don’t make them again, don’t make promises which you don’t intend to keep, and try to eliminate or greatly reduce your bad behaviors. Have the selfcontrol and determination to change your behavior so that excuses are no longer necessary in your life. Humans will respect you more and your own sense of selfworth will improve.
Real reasons may sound like an excuse but honest answers should be given whenever possible. I don’t want to waste my time, it is too expensive, sorry no, I am not interested, I don’t believe in doing that, my family or I disapprove of it, I will try not to make the mistake again, it won’t happen again, I shouldn’t have done that, and finally simply “I don’t want or like to do that”.
It is human nature to want to try to reduce the severity of a failed promise, mistake, offense, immorality, or bad behavior by defending your action(s) or trying to justify it with mitigating circumstances. You are making a mistake if you try to lie your way out of a situation because you will be accused of deceit or lying and your reputation will end up in the toilet.
Some excuses are justified because you may have been late due to real reasons such as traffic congestion or spending more time at an important meeting than anticipated but making excuses for too many shortcomings can be habit forming and you can start making creative wrong excuses for things which are inexcusable.
If you are making too many failed promises, too many mistakes, are guilty of bad behavior or even immorality then don’t make excuses but do your best to change yourself and don’t make the mistakes, don’t behave badly, and don’t do immoral things. Your good reputation, especially with humans closest to you, can be severely damaged and trusting relationships will no longer be possible.
To minimize your excuses remember this-DON’T MAKE PROMISES WHICH YOU DON’T INTEND TO KEEP!!! It is a form of lying and no one will respect you if you don’t fulfill your promises or don’t follow through with them.
Excuses, excuses, excuses! Not a good pattern for your life and you will live to regret it in the long duration if you make too many excuses.
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