Stop Making Excuses, Keep Moving Forward

Now if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. -Rocky (played by Sylvester Stallone in Rocky VI)

This speech is taken from a scene out of the latest Rocky movie in which Rocky is giving some advice to his son. Everyone would benefit to internalize the mindset presented here.

I hear desperation and urgency. It’s as if he’s saying: it really is this simple kid – if you would just get it!

After watching this, I can’t help but think of how often people wait until they hit rock bottom before deciding to make a necessary (or even desired) change in their lifestyle. Sometimes, we need to hit rock bottom in order to “wake up” and start pursuing our dreams, but the truth is that we don’t really need to.

I’m starting to believe that more than anything else, success is a choice – first. We choose to be successful, or we choose not to. We choose to pursue and achieve our goals, or we choose to be lazy, dissatisfied, or complacent. Everything else is secondary – your circumstances, your social status, your talents and skills – everything. This may sound elementary, but think of the implications!

The bottom line is that success comes to those who don’t make excuses, and keep moving forward towards their goals – no matter what. It really is that simple. If we would just get it…

How would you live differently if you internalized the realization that free will is the only thing standing between you and your goals?

3 thoughts on “Stop Making Excuses, Keep Moving Forward”

  1. Sorry John, this time I respectfully disagree. Things ain’t that simple.
    Circumstances and ressources play a big role. Even the ability to choose success instead of failure depends on ressources.

    That’s the big picture, but watching the details I know that people very often use circumstances or biology or “talent” as weak excuses for not doing something. But I found it’s not so much “laziness” but their own belief system : lack of self esteem and self-confidence (talking about the average lower middle class guy…..) becomes ideology and rationalisation: I have no talent. I can’t do this. I am too old. Men can’t do this. This situation is too embarrasing. Women can’t do this. Yada yada yada…. They feel uncomfortable with doing things that are against conventional wisdom or they want to avoid feeling embarrassed.

    BTW: I love this film “Rocky Balboa”. I watched the DVD twice – the second time with director’s comment. I think Stallone is underestimated as an actor and filmmaker -too much simple minded guys think he’s only a dumb macho with big muscles, especially highbrow- film critic-wannabees. Yup – I like the scene where Rocky preaches to his son.

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