The Safe Driver

Make improvements, not excuses

For some people, accepting the truth can be tough, especially if the truth is negative. It’s tough for some to realize they’ve made a mistake or did something wrong. Is it self-pride? Perhaps, but where do we draw the line? Excuses are made-up reasons people create to remove any personal blame of errors. It can also be a way to neglect any responsibility of any wrongdoing. Is it a matter of growing up? Is this something they truly believe? Unfortunately, some do believe excuses let them off the hook. That may be the short-term result, but not the long-term result.

There really is a difference between an excuse and a reason though. Typically, a reason explains the facts of your actions or of the mistakes made. This is where you step up and take accountability for your actions. An excuse tends to shift the blame from you to someone or something else with the intent to remove yourself from any accountability. Which do you use most often? Be honest.

Those who constantly make excuses do this because they often mistakenly believe an excuse will emotionally protect them from embarrassment, uncertainty, and accountability. Unfortunately, excuses really do the opposite of that. Excuses can make them feel anxious, inadequate, and guilty. And deep down, they know it’s not the truth.

I often listen to drivers explains a variety of driving scenarios they’ve either been involved in or comment on. The blame always seems to be toward the other person. Never do they accept blame as they always seem to find an excuse. I’ve often heard excuses from drivers after a driving errors was made such as the road was slippery, they driver ahead was driving too slowly, the curve was too sharp, the hill was too steep, there was no one around so I wasn’t hurting anyone, and the ever popular – the law is stupid. Everything and everyone were to blame for the incident…except them.

Take pride with who you are as a person and what you stand for. It takes a big person to admit they’ve made a mistake. Speaking the truth helps our mental health stay level. Constantly hiding the truth…after truth…after truth can build up inside us all and affect our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Plus, you’ll gain a lot more respect by being truthful and providing reasons of your error.

After realizing you made an error and admit fault and provided a reason of your actions, it tends to lead toward finding a way to improve. Personal self improvement comes from admitting you made the error and understanding what error you made which caused it. That’s quite the opposite of always coming up with excuses, isn’t it?

**have a quick listen to this short episode from the “Speed Bumps” safe driving podcast as this topic is discussed further!**