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"Few things can help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him"
Booker T. Washington

Excuses

Here is a great list of excuses I have collected over the years, told to me by lifters who’ve had trouble with their training programs and/or missed a maximum attempt:
1. My gym owners do not allow chalk.
2. My gym does not have the equipment I need.
3. I do not have time to do extra workouts.
4. It is hard for me to make it to the gym four times per week.
5. It is hard for me to get away from work to go to a meet.
6. My knee sleeves keep bunching up.
7. The bar fell out of the groove on that last lift.
8. I used to be able to do that for three reps.
9. I had to use a crappy bar.
10. I did not have good spotters.
11. The rack was too narrow.
12. The J hooks in the rack were set too low.
13. I did not get enough rest between sets.
14. I felt rushed.
15. My wraps were too tight.
16. The meet started too late.
17. The meet ran too long.
18. The meet ran too fast.
19. The flight drained me.
20. My coach screwed my peak up.
21. My partners were not motivating me.
22. There were too many distractions in the gym.
23. The weights were not “official.”
24. The bench was too high.
25. The bench was too low.
26. The bar did not have a good grip to it.
27. The bar was too sharp.
28. My singlet rode up my ass.
29. My wrist wraps suck.
30. The platform was moving.
31. My belt didn't fit right.
32. The weight cut killed me.
33. I did not have my ammonia caps.
34. I did not have lunch.
35. I ate like crap all weekend.
36. I did not sleep at all last night.
37. I do not have enough money.
38. My spouse does not like me training.
39. My car broke down.
40. I was sick.
41. The rain made my joint feels tight.
42. My shoulder hurt (or any other body part).
43. I forgot my liniment.
44. My training did not go well.
45. My coach had me go up to a weight that was too heavy.
46. My coaches program sucked.
47. I forgot my sports drink.
48. My supplements did not work.
49. My triceps strength never came around.
50. My body weight was off.

The Common Denominator

Here is the best part. I have also used every one of these excuses— plus hundreds of others. That was before I discovered the real secret to making strength gains. Reread the list again and see if you can find anything common to all of them. Take your time if you have to. Have you found it yet? Try again and look deeper. Read between the lines and go deeper than the surface. Find it yet? Let me help you: If I’ve used every one of them, then the common factor is me. The person who makes the list of excuses is always the common denominator. The responsibility always falls back on the one who makes the excuses.

Let’s review a few of the items on the list to better illustrate the point. We will start with No. 45: “My coach had me go up to a weight that was too heavy.” I can see how you might feel this was the coach’s fault—but who decided he would be your coach? Did you lift up to your potential? Could you have told him it was too much? Now let look at No. 39: “My car broke down.” Who bought the car? Do you get it checked on a regular basis? Could you have called someone to pick you up?

A training partner of mine got into a car accident two weeks before a meet and ended up rolling the car in a ditch. He made it to the gym because he asked the officer to drop him off. He did this so he would not miss a training session and could continue training for the meet. Let’s try one more. How about No. 2: “My gym does not have the equipment I need.” Did you join the gym? Have you asked for the equipment you need? As you can see, the blame will always come back to you. You may be thinking this is not always true; there are always some things that are beyond your control. I agree—crappy things can and do happen. That’s life, and what keeps life exciting. It’s not the crappy things in themselves that break us down, but how we feel and react to those things. If you spend your time and energy trying to place blame and complain, then you’re not using that time trying to find a solution. The minute you shut up and begin to take responsibility, you will begin to find a solution. Even if you feel it’s not your fault, take responsibility and get over it. The alternative will only result in more blaming, conflict, and disruption in your life. None of these things will bring you closer to success.

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