BCG Blog

Given the Circumstances

Let me just say it to start with: it doesn’t matter.

The circumstances we face never serve as justification for the result. Far too often, we search for excuses when things don’t go the way we want. We want to feel better, to soothe our ego. One of the most common, easiest ways to do this is to blame our circumstances.

I had no choice … what was I supposed to do … I couldn’t do anything about it …

Our circumstances are such a convenient scapegoat. And, if you don’t attribute the substandard performance to your circumstances quickly enough, someone will do it for you. One of your ‘friends’ will help you justify the result.

The phrase ‘given the circumstances’ immediately lowers the expectation, which is what we’re going for. It relieves us of responsibility, and makes whatever the result is more acceptable. 

At least we think it does. But, it doesn’t.

See, we know what we are capable of. We know, regardless of what we say out loud, that the circumstances must be irrelevant. We know the standard is the standard - not the standard is the standard as long as something doesn’t make it too hard to reach it. 

Why Should We Care?
The problem isn’t the use of our circumstances as an excuse anyway.

The problem is that we feel like we need an excuse.

If our focus was on the process, on testing ourselves, on constant growth; then we would see excuses for the pitiful, useless waste they are. 

It’s our obsession with the result that drives the need for excuses. The search for unfortunate circumstances is simply a window to the focus of our mind.

Shift to a process-centered mentality and suddenly the circumstances become irrelevant. Actually, the more challenging, the more adverse, the better. The difficulty gives us more opportunity for growth, which those in love with the process cherish. 

When we accept the circumstances, we are freed to commit fully to the process. Only then can we perform without the fear of failure and judgement. 

The performance process becomes very simple.

1. Over prepare
2. Perform with the confidence that you are as prepared as you could possibly be
3. Assess your performance - What went well? What didn’t go well?
4. Trace those answers to your process and adjust it accordingly
5. Repeat

REAL TALK - Action Steps
Accepting our circumstances while maintaining the standard is a challenge for those pursuing excellence within teams or as an individual. Here are a few ideas to simplify it.

• Notice it in others 
  • We’ve all been in conversations with others that are littered in excuses. Often people make excuses for no reason. There’s nothing at stake, no reason for an excuse to be used. They do it out of habit … a bad habit.

 

• Notice it in yourself
  • Hopefully you’ve developed enough self-awareness to realize when you fall into blaming circumstances for subpar performance. The goal here is to recognize it before you verbalize it. I like to think of this strong voice v weak voice. Our weak voice loves to blame circumstances, and anything else it can find. We all have it - just make sure you let your strong voice have the last word.

 

• Find home 
  • Maybe it’s your faith, your purpose, your values ... what it shouldn’t be is your results, awards, or accolades. When we have an identity anchored something bigger than ourselves and our accomplishments, we willingly dismiss the need for excuses.

Remember, it’s not the excuse that’s the problem. The excuse is the symptom. The real issue is that we think we need to provide an excuse. When we know where home is, excuses become completely irrational because they only lead us away from it.

For more information on building excellence in your teams, visit us at www.bluecollargrit.com. 
We would love to know how we could help!

​