I’ll be the first to admit—it’s easy to get stuck in the same place for too long. You tell yourself you’ll take that next step someday, but somehow, someday never comes.
The truth is, we all have a list of excuses that keep us in our comfort zones. They feel valid, even logical. But in reality, they’re nothing more than roadblocks we’ve built for ourselves.
If you’re feeling stagnant—whether in your career, relationships, or personal growth—it’s time to get honest about what’s really holding you back.
Here are seven common excuses that keep people stuck and why it’s time to finally say goodbye to them.
1) “I’m just waiting for the right time”
Let’s be real—there’s never a perfect time to make a big move. Life is always going to be busy, uncertain, or a little messy.
Yet, this excuse keeps so many people stuck. They tell themselves they’ll start that business when they have more experience, switch careers when things settle down, or pursue their passion when they feel ready.
But here’s the truth: readiness isn’t something that magically appears. It’s something you build by taking action.
Instead of waiting for the stars to align, start small. Take one step today, even if it’s just researching your next move or reaching out to someone who’s been where you want to go. Progress happens when you stop waiting and start doing.
2) “I don’t have enough experience”
I used to tell myself this all the time.
A few years ago, I wanted to take on a new role that excited me, but I kept hesitating. I convinced myself I wasn’t qualified enough, that I needed more training, more credentials—just more before I could even try.
Then one day, I watched someone else, with the same (or even less) experience than me, go for a similar opportunity and get it. That’s when it hit me—I wasn’t actually lacking experience. I was just lacking confidence.
The truth is, no one ever feels 100% ready. The people who move forward aren’t the ones with perfect qualifications; they’re the ones willing to learn as they go.
So if you’ve been holding yourself back because you think you’re not “experienced enough,” ask yourself: Is it really true? Or am I just afraid to start?
3) “I don’t have enough time”
We all have the same 24 hours in a day, yet somehow, some people manage to build businesses, switch careers, or completely transform their lives—while others stay stuck.
The difference isn’t time itself. It’s how it’s used.
People tend to overestimate how busy they are. Small distractions, like scrolling through social media or procrastinating on decisions, add up more than we realize.
If you constantly feel like you “don’t have time” for the things that matter, try tracking where your hours actually go. You might be surprised at how much time is slipping away—and how much of it you can reclaim for something better.
4) “I’m afraid of failing”
Fear of failure is one of the biggest reasons people stay stuck. But here’s the thing—failure isn’t the opposite of success. It’s part of it.
In Buddhism, there’s a concept called impermanence—the idea that everything is constantly changing, and nothing stays the same forever. When you understand this, failure stops being something to fear. It just becomes another step in the process.
In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I explore how embracing impermanence can free us from self-doubt and hesitation.
When you stop seeing failure as something permanent, you stop letting it control your decisions.
Every successful person has failed—probably more times than you’d expect. The difference is, they didn’t let it stop them. Neither should you.
5) “I don’t know where to start”
It’s exhausting to feel stuck. You know you want something different, but when you don’t have a clear path forward, it’s easier to do nothing than risk making the wrong move.
For a long time, that’s exactly what I did. I stayed in situations that didn’t make me happy—not because I wanted to, but because I didn’t know what else to do. I thought if I just waited long enough, the right answer would reveal itself. It never did.
What finally changed things wasn’t some big revelation. It was action—any action. The moment I stopped overthinking and just took a small step, everything started shifting. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start somewhere.
6) “I need to feel motivated first”
Most people think motivation comes before action—that you have to feel inspired before you can start.
But in reality, it’s usually the other way around.
Motivation doesn’t magically appear out of nowhere. It builds as you take action. The more you do, the more momentum you create, and the easier it becomes to keep going.
Think about the last time you didn’t feel like exercising, but once you started moving, it wasn’t so bad. Or when you dreaded starting a project, but after a few minutes, you found your rhythm. That’s how progress works.
If you’re waiting to “feel ready” before taking action, you could be waiting forever. Instead, take the first step—even if you don’t feel like it. The motivation will follow.
7) “It’s too late for me”
This is one of the most damaging excuses because it feels so final. You look around and see people younger than you achieving things you haven’t even started, and you convince yourself that you’ve missed your chance.
But here’s the truth: as long as you’re alive, it’s not too late.
There are people who switched careers in their 50s, started businesses in their 60s, and learned entirely new skills in their 70s. The only real deadline is the one you create in your mind.
The longer you tell yourself it’s too late, the more time you waste. Instead of focusing on what you haven’t done yet, focus on what you still can do. Because the best time to start was yesterday—the second best time is right now.
8) “I’m just not the kind of person who does that”
We all have a story we tell ourselves about who we are. Maybe you’ve convinced yourself that you’re not the kind of person who takes risks, puts themselves out there, or goes after big goals.
But that’s not reality—it’s just a habit of thinking. And the more you repeat it, the more it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The truth is, no one is born as “the kind of person” who does anything. Confidence, resilience, and success aren’t personality traits—they’re skills that are built through action.
The only way to become the kind of person who does something is to start doing it.
Bottom line: You are not stuck
It might feel like you’re stuck, but the truth is, you’re not. You’re just standing still. And standing still is a choice—one that you can change at any moment.
The mind loves comfort, even when comfort isn’t serving us. It clings to familiar patterns, convincing us that we’re not ready, that we don’t have enough time, or that it’s too late to start. But these are just thoughts, not reality.
In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I explore how letting go of these limiting beliefs can free us from hesitation and self-doubt. The moment you stop believing the excuses, they lose their power over you.
You don’t have to wait for the perfect moment. You don’t need permission. The only thing standing between you and the life you want is a single decision—to take the first step.
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