In this video, I'm giving you a 6 step strategy for how to stop making excuses and start taking
responsibility. We’re starting right now. This is The Dr. K Show.
I'm Dr. Karthik Ramanan. I help ambitious individuals end self criticism with tools
and strategies to create optimal everyday mental health. If you're new here and you
need to silence that negative voice in your head to get out of your own way, I’m here
for you. I encourage you to subscribe right now.
It's Showtime.
Let's jump right into it.
Number 1. Take out a sheet of paper and a pen and write down all the reasons why you
can't do what it is you want to do. This can be anything that the self doubting voice in
your head says. Just write it down. Write it all down. Then take a deep breath, do something
else to shift your attention, and come back to read your list.
Number 2. Next to each reason why you can't, write down what you'd recommend to someone
else who's using that excuse. Analyze and figure out how to make each thing happen.
You might find that some are easier to solve than you think.
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Number 3. Recognize that what's holding you back is not rational, as you just figured
out from steps 1 and 2. Take deep breaths of 4-6 seconds on the inhale, 4-6 seconds
on the exhale, and tell yourself in your mind that you're going to now address your emotional
self.
Number 4. Close your eyes, put your hands on your heart, continue the breathing pattern
from step 3, and start to visualize your ideal future. Fast forward one year into a world
where you've stopped making excuses and started taking action. Visualizing your future is
an incredibly powerful way to start thinking like the person you want to be rather than
remaining stuck thinking like you do right now. I'll link to my 7 day guided visualization
audio program in the description.
Number 5. Think about the cost of living in your excuses. Who is affected? What happens
in 10 years if you keep living this way? Write it down, visualize it, or speak it to someone
who cares about you. When you make that future real, you'll start to recognize that enough
is enough. It's time to take responsibility.
Which leads me to Number 6. Your experience of life is entirely up to you. Yes, there
are circumstances out of your control, but how you react to those circumstances and how
you feel is completely within your control. Start taking responsibility for all the little
things that are seemingly out of your control. For example, have you been late to a meeting
because of traffic? The moment you say it's "because of traffic", you've robbed yourself
of the opportunity to learn and improve. Leave earlier next time. Unless we were born with
a genetic defect, even our medical diagnoses are largely influenced by ourselves. If you
want to change, recognize that where you are… is entirely on you.
Question of the Day: What's the biggest excuse you make that you want to overcome? If you
feel like being awesome, let me know in the comments below.
Tough love here. Your life is your doing. Yes, there are influences outside of our control.
There always have been. There always will be. But what's important to recognize is that
if you have the courage to take on the belief that "I am responsible for my experiences
in life", you will win.
Stop living the tragedies of your past. Learn from them, and move forward. Stop blaming
others for your life. Take responsibility, and move forward. Stop making excuses for
why you can't, and move forward.
Were you born into this world to live a life of mediocrity? Were you born to just survive?
Or were you born for a reason?
We can't control what happens to us. But we can choose how we act. We can choose how we
respond. We can choose how we get up off the floor time and again and never quit. We can
choose to flow with the currents of life rather than desperately try to control them. We can
choose what our life purpose is. We can choose to be great.
I believe in your greatness.