Wayne Dyer's View on No More Excuses
New Dyer Book Offers Ways to End Self-Defeating Thinking
Aug 21, 2009
There isn't a list of silly reasons people make up for their everyday failures in Dr. Wayne Dyer’s 2009 book from Hay House, Inc. Excuses Begone!. But everyone will be familiar with what Dyer calls the “excuse catalog.” No doubt the eighteen most common excuses he lists are heard, and probably used, by most folks nearly every day, from “I can’t afford it” to “I’m too tired” and “I’m too busy.”
What might surprise anyone who picks up the best-selling author’s handbook for achieving the highest levels of success, fulfillment and good health, however, is that he believes even the most ingrained patterns of excuse-making rooted in childhood development and habitual thinking can be consciously exchanged for an empowered and excuse-free way of living. And it isn’t difficult.
According to Dyer, excuses are “mind viruses” that worm their way into every aspect of life and sometimes seem hopelessly entrenched. Yet he believes they can be eradicated by adhering to seven basic principles and asking oneself seven questions. Seem too simple for the often stubborn and habitual ways people get stuck in their lives?
Dyer offers up a myriad of personal examples and scientific evidence that support his theory that by examining and working regularly to readjust thinking from excuses to affirmations, self-defeating habits can be permanently changed. Purposely stating he left out his “scholarly research persona” in the writing of the book, Dyer takes the reader through a series of steps that challenge erroneous beliefs and expose excuses as absurd ways of navigating the world. Here are the basics of his program:
The Seven Principles of Excuses Begone!
- Awareness – The first step to breaking old habits is to become cognizant of excuse-making and the places where thoughts of failure pop up as barriers to doing something. Practicing staying open to possibilities rather than focusing on perceived limitations helps remove the tendency to make excuses.
- Alignment – Excuses don’t exist when a person aligns with the essence of his/her essential nature. Focusing on what is desired rather than what is lacking, and what is possible rather than calling something impossible stops excuses from arising.
- Now – Becoming a master at the art of being present to life as it is can end excuse-making. Excuses are explanations for now moments that get tangled in the past or future.
- Contemplation – Thinking about possibilities rather than impossibilities, fairness rather than unfairness, and what’s right instead of what’s wrong is useful in shifting thoughts from excuses to action.
- Willingness – Being willing to take full responsibility for all the conditions of one’s life and to shed reluctance to do what might be necessary to make dreams come true is another key to vanquishing excuses.
- Passion – Focusing on the things in life that generate passion and vigorous enthusiasm overcomes excuses by removing obstacles and infusing the action with deep meaning.
- Compassion –Choosing a life filled with service to others leaves no room for blame. By consciously shifting to a perspective of compassion and kindness, excuses no longer are an option.
Getting Rid of Excuses
Dyer doesn’t offer up specific exercises for getting rid of excuses, he simply provides seven questions and a summation of the Excuses Begone! principles for each that one can ask in order to “outgrow” the need to ever use an excuse again.
- Is it true? "Probably not."
- Where did the excuse come from? "I allowed it."
- What’s the payoff? "I get to avoid risks and stay the same."
- What would my life look like if I couldn’t use these excuses? "I’d be free to be myself."
- Can I create a rational reason to change? "Easily."
- Can I access universal cooperation in shedding old habits? "Yes, by simply aligning with my Source of being."
- How do I continuously reinforce this new way of being? "By being vigilant."
Filled with lessons and wisdom from all manner of ancient and modern thinkers, innovators, leaders and the author’s own personal experiences, Excuses Begone! is a useful guide to living a more fulfilling life.
The book integrates Dyer’s study of the Tao Te Ching with new research and a growing understanding of how the mind works to offer up a simple program for shifting conditioned ways of being to a more conscious and spiritually-aligned existence. Convinced that old habits don’t have to be forever, Dyer offers hope that taking charge of one’s thoughts can put an end to stubborn self-defeating behavior once-and-for-all.
For more information on the psychology of excuses and excuse-making read the Suite101 article "Excuses and Excuse-Makers."
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