There is a certain voice, one that is not spoken aloud, but instead lives in the back of our heads. Sometimes it leaves a catchy song's lyrics in our minds to be overplayed for several hours, other times it reflects the nervous anxiety we have when we catch the dreaded "feels", and other times it reminds us that our stomach is grumbling because we have managed to go hours without food or in my case, coffee. But this voice is not always our friend, because there is one more thing it commonly comes up with: excuses. Many people use them to get out of leaving their beds in the morning. It's raining, I definitely can't make it to class or maybe I'll start that book next week or the dishes can wait until tomorrow. These are just a few of the things we need to stop telling ourselves:
1. It's not a good time.
Stop telling yourself it isn't a good time to do the things you want to do. If it's something you want to do, a trip you want to take, a show you want to see, a person you want to visit, then do it. Make arrangements. Call off work. Talk to the people that will support you and encourage you to take on this task you want to tackle! I promise that if there is a will, there is a way. The fact that it crossed your mind is enough motivation to make it happen. As Nike's slogan goes: just do it.
2. I'll do it tomorrow.
Why not just do it today? Get it over with. It will feel great crossing this one more task off your yellow legal pad or checking it off your mental checklist. How long is this task really going to take you? Do you really think that you'll be any more motivated tomorrow? That's one more thing you could accomplish today and not have to do tomorrow.
3. I'm not good enough to get into this school or get this job or apply for this internship.
If you don't try, then of course you aren't going to get to where you want to be. If you don't ask then the answer is always going to be no. So apply. Apply to your dream schools. Look for the job or position you really want and strive for it. If you are passionate about something, it will show. If you really want something, you have to work for it. So reach for above the bar.
4. My opinion doesn't matter.
Yes, yes it does. You're afraid of sharing your political views on Twitter? Don't be. You're afraid of retweeting a tweet about women's rights because it's not what you normally tweet? Retweet and favorite that. Your ideas do matter. You have the ability to influence and alter your peers' perspectives. Plus, it's our own duty to retweet all of the information we have to prevent Donald Trump from stepping foot on the White House lawn. Sign petitions. Get involved. Show people what you care about and what you believe in.
5. I really shouldn't eat that.
Screw that. We need to stop preventing ourselves from enjoying a huge slice of cheesecake. If you had a tough day at work, go get a milkshake from Tailpipes. If you are out with your friends, order a drink and make it a double because we are college students. We work hard to be this poor. We deserve a whole pizza from Lotsa Mozza sometimes. Don't let one insomnia cookie keep you up at night. Treat yo-self.
