Finding Solutions, Not Excuses

I recently discovered this intriguing, yet terrifying, part of the Instagram app. It allows you to see how much time per day you spend using their app. What seems like a couple minutes here and there throughout the day can suddenly add up to 45 or more minutes. I don’t know about you, but that is a pretty convicting number. 30-45 minutes a day spent scrolling through Instagram, posting highlights on my story and often comparing my weaknesses to other people’s strengths!? I know for a fact that most of that time could be spent doing much more rewarding things.

It got me thinking, what if we were able to see how much time per day we spend doing other things? What if there was a way you could see how much total time you spent in traffic or watching TV throughout the week? Better yet, what if you could see how much time per day you spent comparing or complaining. Would the majority of your time be spent finding a solution and rejoicing in your circumstance? Or would you find yourself engulfed in excuses, complaints, and comparisons?

As a Crossfit and Nutrition coach, I have heard almost every excuse in the book for why people have waited to get started or have struggled to continue working towards their goals. Maybe you have heard some of these or maybe you have said them yourself- “I don’t have time,” “I don’t know how,” or “It’s too hard.” It's so easy to come up with excuses. It’s easy to fall victim to busy schedules and “victim” mindsets. But that’s what fills the gap between making a goal and reaching a goal. In order to get to the goal, you have to make stepping stones out of the solutions and toss the excuses to the side before they build a wall between you and your goal and keep it out of reach and out of sight.

When I was growing up and facing challenges, my mom would always tell me, “Sofia, I have confidence you will figure this out.” As much as this phrase frustrated me down to my core, I realize now that she was helping me develop a problem-solving attitude instead of a victim mindset. Instead of allowing me to let others find the solution to my own problem, she encouraged me to find one on my one and reminded me that I was fully capable of doing so. Without me fully realizing at the moment, she was giving me encouragement and allowing me to take ownership of my situation and my solution.

If you are struggling to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, I want to encourage you to spend your time wisely and find a solution for the challenge before you. If you do not have time to reach your goal, remind yourself of your priorities and realign your schedule accordingly. If you do not know how to reach your goal, find resources and others in your community that may be able to assist you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! If your goal seems to hard, set micro-goals that can be reachable in shorter amounts of time so you are more willing to take that first step. I have confidence that YOU will take the time to find a solution and that God will equip you and strengthen you as you throw away your excuses and step into all that He has prepared for you

- Sofi