--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Excuses are the explanations we use for…" description: "\"Excuses are the explanations we use for hanging on to behaviors we don't like about ourselves; they are self-defeating behaviors we don't know how to c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d4/wayne-dyer-158_behavior_excuses-are-the-explanations-we-use-for_2502076.jpg" --- # Excuses are the explanations we use for hanging on to… ![“Excuses are the explanations we use for hanging on to behaviors we don't like about ourselves; they are self-defeating behaviors we don't know how to change. InExcuses Begone! I review 18 of the most common excuses people use, such as "I'm too busy, too old, too fat, too scared or it's going to…” quote by Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d4/wayne-dyer-158_behavior_excuses-are-the-explanations-we-use-for_2502076.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d4/wayne-dyer-158_behavior_excuses-are-the-explanations-we-use-for_2502076.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d4/wayne-dyer-158_behavior_excuses-are-the-explanations-we-use-for_2502076.jpg) > “Excuses are the explanations we use for hanging on to behaviors we don't like about ourselves; they are self-defeating behaviors we don't know how to change. InExcuses Begone! I review 18 of the most common excuses people use, such as "I'm too busy, too old, too fat, too scared or it's going to take too long or be too difficult."” [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Excuses mask deeper self‑defeating habits, preventing change; recognizing them is the first step to growth. **In simple terms:** Excuses hide habits we dislike and block change. Key Takeaway Identify and challenge excuses to break harmful patterns. Themes self‑awareness growth habit change Mood thoughtful motivational Type self‑help psychological When to use this quote - personal development - coaching - therapy - goal setting Key Concepts psychology behavioral change Questions to Reflect On - What excuse do you repeat most often? - How can you replace an excuse with an actionable step? A Different Perspective Excuses can become rationalizations that reinforce the behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Busy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/busy/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Common Excuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-excuses-1071011/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Excuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuse/) [Excuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuses/) [Excuses Explanations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuses-explanations-1071009/) [Excuses People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuses-people-1071010/) [Explanation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explanation/) [Explanations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explanations/) [Explanations Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explanations-use-1071012/) [Fats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fats/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Hanging on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hanging-on/) [Know how](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-how/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Reviews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reviews/) [Scared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scared/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self defeating behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-defeating-behavior-166324/) [Too busy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-busy/) [Too long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-long/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) ## Related quotes > [After a while, we start really believing these things are true. People who have had self-defeating behaviors for a long time, such as people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/after-a-while-we-start-really-believing-these-things-are-true-people/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [here's a payoff for everyone. The reason we hang on to self-defeating behaviors is because it's easier not to take responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/here-s-a-payoff-for-everyone-the-reason-we-hang-on-to-self-defeating/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [I don't believe in twisting yourself into knots of excuses and explanations over the food you make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-child/i-don-t-believe-in-twisting-yourself-into-knots-of-excuses-and-3/) [Julia Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-child/) > [At the end of the day, let there be no excuses, no explanations, no regrets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/at-the-end-of-the-day-let-there-be-no-excuses-no-explanations-no/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [“I don't believe in twisting yourself into knots of excuses and explanations over the food you make. When one's hostess starts in with self-deprecations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-child/i-don-t-believe-in-twisting-yourself-into-knots-of-excuses-and/) [Julia Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-child/) > [I don't believe in twisting yourself into knots of excuses and explanations over the food you make… Usually one's cooking is better than one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-child/i-don-t-believe-in-twisting-yourself-into-knots-of-excuses-and-2/) [Julia Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-child/) > [No excuses. No explanations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/no-excuses-no-explanations/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [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/) > [If all you do is make excuses, then that is how people see you. Make your strengths visible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marla-runyan/if-all-you-do-is-make-excuses-then-that-is-how-people-see-you-make/) [Marla Runyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marla-runyan/) > [“Everyone does', 'They say', 'tradition', 'studies show', these are not reasons to do or not to do anything, but rather excuses people use to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennie-moench/everyone-does-they-say-tradition-studies-show-these-are-not-reasons/) [Jennie Moench](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennie-moench/) > [In a way, the futile excuses many people use to cover their superstitions are demolished. They think it is enough to have some sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/in-a-way-the-futile-excuses-many-people-use-to-cover-their/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [All the excuses that people in power used to make for not telling diverse stories or including diverse people, they've proven to be false.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-viswanathan/all-the-excuses-that-people-in-power-used-to-make-for-not-telling/) [Geraldine Viswanathan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-viswanathan/) > [If you don't accept excuses, then people will stop giving them and will start looking for solutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/if-you-don-t-accept-excuses-then-people-will-stop-giving-them-and/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [Whatever your present situation, I assure you that you are not your habits. You can replace old patterns of self-defeating behavior with new patterns,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/whatever-your-present-situation-i-assure-you-that-you-are-not-your/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Just get out of your own way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/just-get-out-of-your-own-way/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) ## More by Wayne Dyer > [Remember that your natural state is joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/remember-that-your-natural-state-is-joy/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Be in a state of gratitude for everything that shows up in your life. Be thankful for the storms as well as the smooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/be-in-a-state-of-gratitude-for-everything-that-shows-up-in-your-life/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [While the world of reality has its limits, the world of your imagination is without boundaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/while-the-world-of-reality-has-its-limits-the-world-of-your/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Trusting yourself is trusting the wisdom that created you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/trusting-yourself-is-trusting-the-wisdom-that-created-you/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [It's only a thought and a thought can be changed. Choose good ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-s-only-a-thought-and-a-thought-can-be-changed-choose-good-ones/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [When I get on the dance floor, my purpose in being on the dance floor is not to end up at another spot when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/when-i-get-on-the-dance-floor-my-purpose-in-being-on-the-dance-floor/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Everyone in Life does Exactly what they Know How to Do Given the Conditions of their Lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/everyone-in-life-does-exactly-what-they-know-how-to-do-given-the/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [You can't go around being what everyone wants you to be, living your life through other people's rules, and expect to be happy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/you-can-t-go-around-being-what-everyone-wants-you-to-be-living-your/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [When you have the choice between being right and being kind just choose kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/when-you-have-the-choice-between-being-right-and-being-kind-just/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [If you want to be confident, but don't normally act that way, today, just this once, act in the physical world the way you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/if-you-want-to-be-confident-but-don-t-normally-act-that-way-today/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [We make weapons now that, if we ever used them, would kill ourselves. How do you explode a weapon with so much radiation in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/we-make-weapons-now-that-if-we-ever-used-them-would-kill-ourselves/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [What you feel is wrong or missing in your relationships is an indication that something is amiss within you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/what-you-feel-is-wrong-or-missing-in-your-relationships-is-an/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [The truth is that there is no actual stress or anxiety in the world; it's your thoughts that create these false beliefs. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/the-truth-is-that-there-is-no-actual-stress-or-anxiety-in-the-world/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [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/) > [The problem with using force in our lives is that we always create a counterforce. For example, If you're with a child and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/the-problem-with-using-force-in-our-lives-is-that-we-always-create-a/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) [Explore all 1,079 Wayne Dyer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) ## More Behavior quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I now know that deep within the human concept is something dark, selfish, and completely willing to do whatever is necessary to support the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-west/i-now-know-that-deep-within-the-human-concept-is-something-dark/) [Melissa West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-west/) > [“We are endowed with genes which code out our reaction to beavers and otters, maybe our reaction to each other as well. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-endowed-with-genes-which-code-out-our-reaction-to-beavers-and/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) [Burne Hogarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burne-hogarth/) > [You don't put milk in chamomile tea - that's disgusting behavior! That's not right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-fraser/you-don-t-put-milk-in-chamomile-tea-that-s-disgusting-behavior-that-s/) [Laura Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-fraser/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) [J. Willard Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-willard-gibbs/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-tipping-point-is-that-magic-moment-when-an-idea-trend-or-social/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [I think we've told a lot of lies about human behavior through film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-arquette/i-think-we-ve-told-a-lot-of-lies-about-human-behavior-through-film/) [Patricia Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-arquette/) > [The strongest rebellion may be expressed in quiet, undramatic behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/the-strongest-rebellion-may-be-expressed-in-quiet-undramatic-behavior/) [Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/) > [The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/the-behavior-of-any-bureaucratic-organization-can-best-be-understood/) [Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/) > [If you want good behavior, don't pay on a commission basis. Our judges aren't paid so much a case. We keep them pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/if-you-want-good-behavior-don-t-pay-on-a-commission-basis-our-judges/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 4,218 Behavior quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Excuses are the explanations we use for hanging on to behaviors we don't like about ourselves; they are self-defeating behaviors we don't know how to change. InExcuses Begone! I review 18 of the most common excuses people use, such as \"I'm too busy, too old, too fat, too scared or it's going to take too long or be too difficult.\"", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Wayne Dyer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/excuses-are-the-explanations-we-use-for-hanging-on-to-behaviors-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Behavior" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/excuses-are-the-explanations-we-use-for-hanging-on-to-behaviors-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d4/wayne-dyer-158_behavior_excuses-are-the-explanations-we-use-for_2502076.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d4/wayne-dyer-158_behavior_excuses-are-the-explanations-we-use-for_2502076.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d4/wayne-dyer-158_behavior_excuses-are-the-explanations-we-use-for_2502076.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Excuses are the explanations we use for hanging on to behaviors we don't like about ourselves; they are…” — Wayne Dyer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Wayne Dyer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Excuses are the explanations we use...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/excuses-are-the-explanations-we-use-for-hanging-on-to-behaviors-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/excuses-are-the-explanations-we-use-for-hanging-on-to-behaviors-we/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```