How to Stop Making Excuses. (It's Not What You Think It Is.) What if your excuses are a symptom, not a cause, of your failing to achieving your goals?

By Ben Angel

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Are you making excuses not to work on that big, hairy, audacious goal of yours, but you don't know why? It's critical to understand what flips this switch and why, when tackling a big new project, you experience a 10 step forward, eight step back approach.

The truth is that making excuses might not be the reason you are failing to achieve your goals. It might instead be a symptom of some underlying problem. If you are unhappy or unhealthy, you might not have enough energy or drive to accomplish your goals. That's why making a change in your personal life can make a big difference for your business goals.

Click play to learn more.

Related: 3 Tips to Sticking to Your Goals When You Feel Like Quitting

Entrepreneur Network is a premium video network providing entertainment, education and inspiration from successful entrepreneurs and thought leaders. We provide expertise and opportunities to accelerate brand growth and effectively monetize video and audio content distributed across all digital platforms for the business genre.

EN is partnered with hundreds of top YouTube channels in the business vertical. Watch video from our network partners on demand on Amazon Fire, Roku, Apple TV and the Entrepreneur App available on iOS and Android devices.

Click here to become a part of this growing video network.

Ben Angel

Entrepreneur Network Contributor

Tackle AI's toughest questions with Ben Angel, mapping the business terrain for 20 years. Master the AI landscape and reach peak productivity and profits with insights from his latest work, "The Wolf is at The Door — How to Survive and Thrive in an AI-Driven World." Click here to download your 'Free AI Success Kit' and get your free chapter from his latest book today.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

More from Ben Angel

Unleash Unshakable Confidence in 7 Days: The Neuroscience-Backed Blueprint

How to Start a 'Million Dollar' Morning Routine

Alarming New Data: 75% of Workers Say AI Is Hurting Productivity. Here's Why and What to Do About It.

Editor's Pick

Living

The 3 Lifestyle Habits That Made Me Sharper, Stronger and More Successful

These three simple yet powerful lifestyle changes transformed my productivity, energy and mindset. Here's how you can do the same.

Business News

Here's How Much a Typical Google Employee Makes in a Year

Compensation for the median Google employee was up 5% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to a new U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

UPS Is Laying Off 20,000 Employees and Closing Over 70 Locations: 'Reduce Cost'

UPS announced the move as part of its first-quarter earnings report on Tuesday.

Starting a Business

Today's Biggest Companies Are Acting Like VCs. Here's Why Startup Founders Need to Pay Attention.

From internal growth arms to venture-style capital deployment, big companies are moving fast — and founders should take notice.

Leadership

How to Lead Effectively When Everything Feels Fragile and Nothing Feels Certain

In a world defined by constant disruption, today's most effective leaders are those who embrace uncertainty, build trust through collaboration and cultivate inner resilience to drive meaningful change under pressure.