--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can make excuses or you can make…" description: "\"“You can make excuses or you can make progress. But you can’t make both.”\" — Craig Groeschel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/494/craig-groeschel-1762_excuses_you-can-make-excuses-or-you-can-make-pro_1572819.png" --- # You can make excuses or you can make progress. But you… ![“You can make excuses or you can make progress. But you can’t make both.” quote by Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/494/craig-groeschel-1762_excuses_you-can-make-excuses-or-you-can-make-pro_1572819.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/494/craig-groeschel-1762_excuses_you-can-make-excuses-or-you-can-make-pro_1572819.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/494/craig-groeschel-1762_excuses_you-can-make-excuses-or-you-can-make-pro_1572819.png) > ““You can make excuses or you can make progress. But you can’t make both.”” [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing to act versus rationalizing prevents simultaneous progress and excuse‑making. **In simple terms:** Excuses block progress. Key Takeaway Pick action, drop excuses. Themes responsibility productivity mindset Mood determined urgent Type motivational practical When to use this quote - team meetings - personal goals - habit formation - project planning Key Concepts self‑efficacy choice behavioral economics Questions to Reflect On - What excuse are you clinging to? - How can you replace it with a concrete step? A Different Perspective Excuses may feel protective but hinder growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Excuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuses/) [Excuses Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuses-make-696685/) [Make Excuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-excuses/) [Make Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-progress/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Progress Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress-make-1479254/) ## Related quotes > [“The more excuses you make, the less progress you make!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-verd/the-more-excuses-you-make-the-less-progress-you-make/) [Nicky Verd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-verd/) > [There's only 2 options: Make progress or make excuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-only-2-options-make-progress-or-make-excuses/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can make excuses or you can make progress. You choose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/you-can-make-excuses-or-you-can-make-progress-you-choose/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Regardless of the difficulties we may face individually, in our families, in our communities and in our nation, the old adage is still true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia-love/regardless-of-the-difficulties-we-may-face-individually-in-our/) [Mia Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia-love/) > [Don't make excuses, make good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/don-t-make-excuses-make-good/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Don't make excuses! Make changes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gaskins/don-t-make-excuses-make-changes/) [Tony Gaskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gaskins/) > [“You can make excuses and you can make money, but you cannot make both.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziad-k-abdelnour/you-can-make-excuses-and-you-can-make-money-but-you-cannot-make-both/) [Ziad K. Abdelnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziad-k-abdelnour/) > [Life is what you make of it. Don't make excuses - make it happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chamillionaire/life-is-what-you-make-of-it-don-t-make-excuses-make-it-happen/) [Chamillionaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chamillionaire/) > [“However, in order to make progress in anything, we must make the first move - from then on, our personal rhythm and intuition will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/however-in-order-to-make-progress-in-anything-we-must-make-the-first/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [That's the challenge, to keep making progress and to make progress throughout the game, throughout the situation, whatever it is, to continue to improve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/that-s-the-challenge-to-keep-making-progress-and-to-make-progress/) [Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/) > [Commit to stop making excuses. When we make excuses, we lie to ourselves and continue bad habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/commit-to-stop-making-excuses-when-we-make-excuses-we-lie-to/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“Maybe, just maybe, I was pointing the finger because it was easier to make excuses than it was to make adjustments.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/maybe-just-maybe-i-was-pointing-the-finger-because-it-was-easier-to/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [“You can make excuses...or you can make solutions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-h-dillon/you-can-make-excuses-or-you-can-make-solutions/) [T.H. Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-h-dillon/) > [Don't make excuses à make good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/don-t-make-excuses-make-good-2/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Don't make excuses for people. If they wanted to be with you, they would. Excuses might make you feel better, but it won't change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/don-t-make-excuses-for-people-if-they-wanted-to-be-with-you-they/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) ## More by Craig Groeschel > [God is not calling us to go to church; he is calling us to be his church, the hope of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/god-is-not-calling-us-to-go-to-church-he-is-calling-us-to-be-his/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [Our thoughts are either focused on what's eternal, life-changing, and true, or lost in the details of our temporary, selfish, false beliefs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/our-thoughts-are-either-focused-on-what-s-eternal-life-changing-and/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [When happiness becomes our standard for judging truth, things that make us happy give us permission to do some things that otherwise would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/when-happiness-becomes-our-standard-for-judging-truth-things-that/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [“When it's clear that we have a commitment to God that comes before anything else in our lives, most people will respect us even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/when-it-s-clear-that-we-have-a-commitment-to-god-that-comes-before/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [“My friends don't think they're rich, because they know someone who's richer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/my-friends-don-t-think-they-re-rich-because-they-know-someone-who-s/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [When focus increases, options decrease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/when-focus-increases-options-decrease/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [Don’t worry when you meet opposition for obeying God. Worry when you don’t have opposition, because you’re probably not obeying God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/don-t-worry-when-you-meet-opposition-for-obeying-god-worry-when-you/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [What you pray for reflects what you believe about God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/what-you-pray-for-reflects-what-you-believe-about-god/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [I believe Christians often perceive obedience to God as some test designed just to see if we’re really committed to Him. But what if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/i-believe-christians-often-perceive-obedience-to-god-as-some-test/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [Unfortunately, the Bible won't tell you directly, "Thou shalt take the new job in marketing..." or "Thou shalt go directly from undergraduate school to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/unfortunately-the-bible-won-t-tell-you-directly-thou-shalt-take-the/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [To step toward your destiny, you may have to step away from your security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/to-step-toward-your-destiny-you-may-have-to-step-away-from-your/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [Don't blame yourself for the declines, because one day you will credit yourself for the increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/don-t-blame-yourself-for-the-declines-because-one-day-you-will-credit/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [Rather than just reacting to the waves of things that come, ride them with deliberate intention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/rather-than-just-reacting-to-the-waves-of-things-that-come-ride-them/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [Most leaders are trying to figure out the right strategy. The best leaders are obsessed with empowering the right people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/most-leaders-are-trying-to-figure-out-the-right-strategy-the-best/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [The things that make us sad, the things that make us righteously angry, or the things we care about that others don’t are often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/the-things-that-make-us-sad-the-things-that-make-us-righteously-angry/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) [Explore all 210 Craig Groeschel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) ## More Excuses quotes > [You will find that the more successful the individual, the less inclined he is to make excuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-joseph-schwartz/you-will-find-that-the-more-successful-the-individual-the-less/) [David Joseph Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-joseph-schwartz/) > [I wasn't a bad kid. My dad left when I was young, so I didn't have much discipline, not that I'm making excuses. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-dyer/i-wasn-t-a-bad-kid-my-dad-left-when-i-was-young-so-i-didn-t-have-much/) [Danny Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-dyer/) > [Sometimes you don't need to hear their excuses or what they have to say for themselves because their actions already spoke the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittany/sometimes-you-don-t-need-to-hear-their-excuses-or-what-they-have-to/) [Brittany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittany/) > [Most people don't reach their goals because reaching their goals requires them to do things that they don't want to do. You might not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/most-people-don-t-reach-their-goals-because-reaching-their-goals/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Existence of emotions also are nothing without excuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/existence-of-emotions-also-are-nothing-without-excuses/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [The only thing stopping you from getting it done is your excuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/the-only-thing-stopping-you-from-getting-it-done-is-your-excuses/) [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I'm not a sympathetic guy when I see people throwing their lives away and using their life's obstacles as excuses to fail. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dabo-swinney/i-m-not-a-sympathetic-guy-when-i-see-people-throwing-their-lives-away/) [Dabo Swinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dabo-swinney/) > [It is impossible to need excuses when the focus of your life shifts from 'What's in it for me?' to 'How can I serve?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-is-impossible-to-need-excuses-when-the-focus-of-your-life-shifts/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Excuses cost a dime and that's why the poor could afford a lot of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/excuses-cost-a-dime-and-that-s-why-the-poor-could-afford-a-lot-of-it/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/excuses-are-the-nails-used-to-build-a-house-of-failure/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [I will never attempt to even begin to make excuses for what I did in football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-storey/i-will-never-attempt-to-even-begin-to-make-excuses-for-what-i-did-in/) [Peter Storey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-storey/) > [“If they want to be in your life, they'll find a way to be in your life. Otherwise they'll find excuses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/if-they-want-to-be-in-your-life-they-ll-find-a-way-to-be-in-your-life/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [“Your explanation is good, but your herring doesn't fry, as we say in Ramaldah," he exploded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-ashling/your-explanation-is-good-but-your-herring-doesn-t-fry-as-we-say-in/) [Andrew Ashling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-ashling/) > [“To recklessly excuse a failure is to believe that I’ve effectively erased it from the story of my life, when I’ve actually imprinted it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/to-recklessly-excuse-a-failure-is-to-believe-that-i-ve-effectively/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [“I’ve got to stop this. Stop worrying about the why. Stop forcing what was happening into the realm of impossible. Stop hiding behind excuses.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deatri-king-bey/i-ve-got-to-stop-this-stop-worrying-about-the-why-stop-forcing-what/) [Deatri King-Bey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deatri-king-bey/) [Browse all 1,069 Excuses quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuses/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“You can make excuses or you can make progress. 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