Excuses Begone! By Dr. Wayne W. Dyer – One of the best Wayne Dyer Books I’ve ever read.
December 6, 2009 by Debbie
Filed under Cliff Notes, You, Inc.
When I say this is one of the best Wayne Dyer Books I’ve ever read, it bears repeating. Upon completion, every single excuse you think you had just vanishes into the woodwork.
but after years of immersion in the world we easily forget our roots
and take on a counterfeit nature.” Lao-tzu
Along with this quote, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer quotes some of the most inspirational and uplifting people in the world throughout his book. Everyone who knows me knows that I am the “Queen of Quotes!”
I read a lot, and I’ve had a lot of books affect me, some to my very core, but I have to say, this Dyer book wins with the number of times I raised my eyebrows and said to myself “Yep, that would be me!”
I’ve discovered from reading this book, and actually re-reading it again, that I have another royal title, I’ve dubbed myself the “Queen of Excuses!”
There’s only one solution:
Through this book we are informed that we have basically two minds, the creative conscious mind and the habitual, or subconscious, mind.
I want you to think for a moment about what excuses you use for something that isn’t right in your life.
Did you ever say to yourself that you couldn’t do something because it’s just a part of your genetics. How about your DNA, have you ever blamed your DNA for not being able to get up in the morning singing along with the birds? (For example, my mom was not a morning person, so I can never be a morning person either)
How about Chico Marx’s response when he was caught by his wife kissing a chorus girl:
“I wasn’t kissing her, I was whispering in her mouth” Come on,,, really?????
Through reading this book I learned a new word. That word is “Memetics” or just “Meme.”
A Meme is described as follows:
A thought, belief, or attitude in your mind that can spread to and from other people’s minds.
A meme is engrained in your subconscious mind not in sand, but in stone. Wind or water will not just wash it away, but with the right tools even a hard piece of coal will become a beautiful brilliant diamond over time.
Our journey on the road to living and “Excuses Free Life” begin with 7 basic principles. I can’t begin to scratch the surface by way of explanation of these principles here, but I can tell you what they are to begin your thinking in the right direction.
Seven little lines…. Seven little words…. with BIG meanings attached. Beginning with Awareness and ending with Compassion there is so much packed into these chapters that I couldn’t begin to do them justice in a short article, but they are truthfully life-changing.
The author finishes strong leaving the reader with 7 vital questions to catapult you into “A new way of looking at changing old thinking habits”
Regarding the excuse, you must ask yourself:
1. Is it True?
2. Where did the excuse come from?
3. What’s the Payoff?
4. What would my life look like if I couldn’t use these excuse?
5. Can I create a rational reason to change?
6. Can I access universal cooperation in shedding old habits?
7. How do I continuously reinforce this new way of being?
Each one of these questions evolves into a whole chapter that thoroughly explains how to answer that particular question.
A habit I’ve gotten myself into while reading any book is when I find a great quote or an amazing affirmation I write it down. I love to have things to say to myself because I know that every time I say something good it’s chipping away at the bad that I have built up in my head from years of negative programming.
When I was done reading this book I had about five pages of quotes and awesome things to repeat over and over to myself, thereby instilling great words to override some of the bad, negative EXCUSES I come up with every day.
In closing I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes and one that had great meaning for me. I think the biggest nugget I took away from this book is that it starts and ends with me, how I think, and the person I think [I KNOW] I can become if I just work hard enough at it.
of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor”
from Walden, by Henry David Thoreau
To all of the “excuse junkies” out there [present company included] this book definitely gets a thumbs up. A must read for anyone who has a problem with excuse-making and past programming. It’s all bunk and it’s gotta go!
I love it Deb…it seems we are all raised with our “excuses” being a part of who we are. It is a major transition to become an empowered person and take responsibility for the reality in our lives so that we can actually change our circumstances and ultimately who we are through the power of personal perception and the way we think.
I have not read this book but it sounds like one to find!
Blessings…
Bruce
Bruce Backman´s last blog ..Why I Don’t Use Ice for Healing Injuries…
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Great post Debbie! I say let’s find an excuse NOT to make any more excuses!!
Scott Phares´s last blog ..Personal Development – A Must in Achieving Your Goals
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Oh Deb, Am just in the middle of reading this incredible book. It has literally hit me between the eyes! Like you, I have bookmarked so many notes. It is on my Kindle, but I might have to order a hard copy too. It is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read.
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Debbie,
I LOVE this post! I just commented on Jonathan Budd’s post about Wayne Dyer and then I clicked your picture and noticed immediately in your recent posts that you wrote about Wayne Dyer. I am a big fan of Dr. Dyer as well as my wife. I have listened to Excuses Be Gone so many times.
Peace Be With You,
David
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David Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Correction, I referenced Wayne Dyer in response to Jonathan Budd’s post about meditation, connecting to source, and self-awareness. And, controlling your emotions.
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Debbie Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
You’re right David, you have to listen/read more than once. I read it twice and got new stuff the second time around. He’s an amazing mentor and teacher! Thanks for your comments!
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Hi Debbie — I mean the Queen of Quotes (have you seen her Twitter? — its true!),
Isn’t it interesting how many life changing books often deal with SEVEN characteristics of life of personality — “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” being one of them.
Dr. Dyer is one of my favorite, and I love the fact that you take notes the way you do when you read.
Thoreau’s quote is so powerful. . .reading it reminded me of why written goals are so powerful — when read at least twice a day — they keep the things driving us forward constantly in front of us, elevating our lives.
Love your blog. . .it keeps getting better and better!
All the best,
Joe
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Debbie Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Joe,,, my long lost friend! How are you. Thanks so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it. Let’s chat and catch up!
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Wow, this is the second review I’ve seen on this in less than a week – do you think the Universe is trying to tell me something?
I love Wayne Dyer, guess Excuses Be Gone is my next read!
Thanks Debbie, for this kick in the right direction, much appreciated!
~ Kathy J
Kathy Jodrey´s last blog ..Blog Syndication Made Quick & Simple with OnlyWire
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Hi Debbie,
Thanks for your overview of this amazing book.
My wife came across the PBS special for this about 2 weeks ago when Dr. Wayne Dyer went through the ideas of the book in a 2 hour show. AMAZING!
It is so easy to get caught up in things and live in the world of excuses.
I know no one who is completely free of this. I do believe that awareness in the key place to start in transforming how we respond to situations that lead to these excuses being used and affecting the direction of our lives.
Thanks again for sharing this.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
-ed
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Debbie Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 11:19 am
Yes, Edward you’re totally right on this point. I love WD! I’m reading the Power of Intention now and loving it just as much as Excuses B’Gone! He’s a great author with so much insight into ME it seems.
Sometimes I feel like he’s pointing at me when he’s writing
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