No Excuses, Respect for People and Finishing Strong

By Jon Miller Published on November 19th, 2009

We often make excuses about why we can’t do something, whether it’s solve a problem, improve our situation or just get things done. My friend Róbert shared an inspiring video of a speech by Nick Vujicic. Nick is a man with no arms and no legs. He doesn’t accept these limitations. He doesn’t make excuses, instead he finds ways to make it possible.
It’s humbling to learn again that it’s not how much we are given but what we do with what we are given. Nick Vujicic teaches us that it’s not how we start, it’s how we finish. He is a stronger man than most of us. I have tremendous respect for how he lives his life.
We can acquire any skill if we have the will to do so. We need to have a clear purpose, take responsibility for ourselves and master our minds. In three words: never give up.
I encourage you to watch and share this video.

Jon Miller

Jon has dedicated his 25+ year career to the field of kaizen, continuous improvement, and lean management. Jon spent the first eighteen years of his life in Japan, then graduated from McGill University with a bachelor’s in linguistics.

John Santomer
November 22, 2009 - 8:09 am
Reply

Dear Jon,
Even in those three situations where excuses were applied a differing level of urgency can be noted;
1. solve a problem – needs immediate addressing urgency at a high level
2. improve a situation – change is not obligatory, only tweaking and fine tuning required.
3. just get things done – no concerns for end results
All the same, my respect goes to Nick as he takes all things beyond the boundaries of his physical handicap. I can not understand how people can put boundaries where there is none?Can we say that they have given up? Better yet, what can we do about these people who have given up?
Jon Miller
November 22, 2009 - 11:51 pm
Reply

Hi John
The mind is a powerful thing isn’t it? It can create boundaries and barriers where there are none, so that we limit our selves, or it can remove very real barriers as if they were not there at all.