Did you forget someone over the holidays?

If you’re like most people, the past few weeks found you juggling all the things you had to do — social obligations, family commitments and gifts galore. But you may have left someone very important off your list: you! If you could have anything in 2014, what would it be? And why don’t you already have it?

When we don’t have what we want, we tell ourselves stories about why. These stories usually involve our circumstances: not enough time, not enough money, not enough education, the wrong kind of education, etc. Or, they involve the people in our lives: friends who don’t understand us, spouses who are overbearing, children who are demanding, parents who are ailing, etc., etc., etc.

Sometimes my workshop attendees and clients are upset when I call the people or circumstances they blame for holding them back by their real name: excuses. Not having money, time or training may make getting what you want more difficult, but many people whose circumstances are far worse than yours have overcome similar obstacles.