Our words are important! There is great power in the words we use, and they are the key to all spoken and written communication. Today’s show takes a look at how our word choices affect our responses, motivations, and actions we take. Our words come into play in the self-talk we tell ourselves and also in our language with others, either prompting forward movement and growth or potentially shutting down all growth. Join me as we examine our communication through the lens of two words in this question: Is it an excuse or an explanation?

Show Highlights:

• What an excuse is–and how it’s used to bypass all accountability and ownership
• What an explanation is–and how it’s used to seek to clarify, understand, and learn
• How an excuse blocks our creativity and any path forward, keeping us in a fear-based state
• How an explanation sees through the lens of reason to find a path to a solution
• How an excuse costs us, keeps us powerless and stuck, and won’t help us meet our goals
• How excuses make us small and invisible, blocking our dreams from coming true
• How I’ve seen excuses and explanations come into play as a therapist and coach
• My challenge: What would shift for you if you recognize your excuses as excuses?
• How your excuses can turn into explanations that give choices and options
• How to identify the smallest thing you can do to begin to make progress and shift your words from excuses to explanations
• Examples of resources that can help you move forward in shifting from excuses to explanations
• My advice for taking the steps and making the changes in going from excuse to explanation

Resources:

Explore past episodes and other resources at www.STaRcoachshow.com.  

Explore the STaR Coach Community!

Email me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you!

Mentioned in this episode:

Join Mentoring Program!

If you’re a coach who wants to grow—not just check a box—this is for you.

Mentor Program

If you're working toward your ACC or PCC credential, or if it's time to recertify your ACC mentor, coaching isn't just a requirement on a checklist. It's one of the most transformative investments you can make in yourself and your coaching. I've taught or mentored over 2000 coaches, and I hear the same thing again and again. I came because I had to, and I am so glad that I did. Coaches tell me they walk away with renewed energy, deeper confidence and a community of peers who genuinely support each other. Here's what you need to know right now. Mentor coaching must span a minimum of three months, so the time to start is not when your credential is just about to expire. And if you complete your hours in 2026, you get ahead of the upcoming ICF changes, which means peace of mind along with skill development. My fall cohort is already filling up. Every group is capped at ten.