70,000 Steps vs. 1 Excuse
A few days ago, I wrote about rules and exceptions. Specifically, the need for each of us to establish clear, firm rules in our lives, while also defining the exceptions. Exceptions aren't a bad thing, but not everything can be an exception. So we need to give ourselves permission to make exceptions to the rules that don't let us spiral.
Today, I want to lean harder into the rules. In the absence of the narrow, specifically named exceptions, we need to let our rules be our rules... no excuses. Something amazing happens when we get rid of the excuses. If there are no excuses and the exceptions don't apply, we have no choice but to attack it head-on. This blog is one such example. I've had so many excuses over these past four years: sickness, travel, overwhelm, relational stress, work stress, parental stress, tragedy, and injury. There are so many nights I just want an excuse! However, excuses aren't allowed, and in this arena of my life, there are no exceptions. If 1,000 people are waiting to receive an e-mail, the work must be done. The product of this? 1,400+ consecutive days of writing, editing, and publishing an article. That's the power of no excuses. It turns the unfathomable into reality.
I had a similar experience this week, but with my steps. As I've mentioned in the past, I started a new habit in January 2025: I try to get 12,000+ steps each day, but I make sure I average at least 10,000 daily steps each month. 20 months in, my record is flawless.....until September 2026. After travel, sickness, too much desk time, and some back pain, I found myself woefully short of my 10,000 average toward the end of the month. After crunching the numbers, I realized I needed to get 69,000 steps in the final four days of the month to hit my 10,000/day goal.
No excuses! I didn't necessarily have excess time for this, and I didn't feel particularly well, but a commitment is a commitment. Over the last four days of the month, I ripped out 26,000, 10,000, 18,000, and 16,000 steps.....70,000 in total. I hated doing it, but there are no excuses.
Something powerful happens to us when we remove excuses. If we take the excuses off the table and tell ourselves that there is no other way but through it, it's amazing what we can accomplish. Whatever you're trying to accomplish, whether career, finance, or some other endeavor, just get rid of the excuses. Do what needs to be done, force yourself to go through it, and see what happens. You'll likely end up pleasantly surprised. There's always more in you than you know.
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