Excuses Are Loyal. Opportunity Isn't.

Fortune favors the bold - and the prepared.

Do you ever notice how excuses are always there for you, like a golden retriever or, heaven forbid, a clingy ex?

Here's the reason: excuses are undeniably reliable, show up early, and will absolutely talk you out of any level of success if you let them. In business and, really, in life, I see it every single day.

• "I would've landed that deal, but the client ghosted."

• "I didn't get the job because they were looking for someone with different experience."

• "My business isn't growing because the market is uncertain."

Look, sometimes there are valid reasons things don't go your way. Timing, luck, circumstances; we've all had those moments. But most of the time? It's not the market. It's not the competition. And it's definitely not your horoscope.

It's that you didn't prepare. Or you didn't follow up. Or, and you may want to sit down for this one, you simply didn't put in the effort. Harsh? Maybe. But true? Absolutely.

Excuses are comforting because they absolve us of any manner of responsibility. They're the padded walls we build to protect our egos when we miss the mark. But here's the problem: opportunity doesn't wait for you to finish rationalizing why you're not ready.

Opportunity shows up wearing running shoes. Opportunity is fast, it's focused, and it doesn't stick around to hear your list of why you almost grabbed it.

I've learned, oftentimes the hard way, that success has very little to do with talent alone. It's about showing up consistently, paying attention to details, doing the unglamorous work (especially when no one is looking), and keeping yourself honest. Because when you don't? There's always an excuse ready to take you to lunch.

So here's the deal: next time something doesn't go your way, pause for a moment and ask yourself:

• Did I give it everything I had?

• Was I really prepared?

• Was I relentlessly curious about their business challenges?

• Did I completely follow through?

• Was I actually paying attention or just phoning it in on a wing and a prayer?

If the answer is no to any of these, own it. And then fix it.

Because while excuses will always pick up your call, opportunity won't even leave a voicemail.