This week's discussion thread highlights the nine excuses in part I of the book. I suggest that you all get a notebook or journal so you can write out your responses because some will be extremely personal and some you will feel more comfortable sharing with the group.
Please answer the discussions below:
Excuse 1. That's not what Other Women Do
1. Rachel says that she used to bury her accomplishments and dreams so she could be "just like every other woman" (p.5) Do you have dreams or accomplishments that you bury or keep secret in order to fit in?
2. How might your life change for the better if you, like Rachel, could learn to reject the idea of what a "woman is supposed to be" (p.13) and instead embrace the woman you are? What fear must you overcome to do this?
Excuse 2: I'm Not A Goal-Oriented Person
1. What is the difference between a "dream" and a "goal”?
2. Are you a goal-oriented person? What personal or professional goals would you like to pursue?
Excuse 3: I Don’t Have Time
1. Review the timeline of your week. How much time do you spend on the things you value most? How much time do spend on things that are less important to you? What are you willing to spend less time doing so that you can spend more time pursuing your goals?
2. What time of day are you at your best? Why is it important to schedule your “ Five to Thrive” (p.24) hours during this time?
Excuse 4: I’m Not Enough To Succeed
1. Do you hold a “limiting belief” (p.31) about yourself that hinders you pursuing your goals? What fears lie at the root of that belief? How might you prove the belief false?
2. Rachel says, “you get to decide what to believe” (p.40). Why do we tend to believe negative opinions about ourselves more readily than positive ones? What does it mean to “flip the script and force yourself to see the positive where you’ve only seen negative” (p.35)?
Excuse 5: I Can’t Pursue My Dream And Still Be a Good Mom
1. Fill in the blank: I can’t pursue my dream and still be a good __________
What is your definition of “a good_____________”? Is this definition based on other people’s expectations or your own personal ideals?
2. “You cannot waste (your life) living only for everyone else” Do you feel it is selfish to put your well being first? Why or why not?
Excuse 6: I’m Terrified of Failure
1. How does pride feed the fear of failure? In the pursuit of our goals, how can we remain humble and yet confident enough to persevere?
2. Can failure actually help lead to success?
Excuse 7: It’s Been Done Before
1. Rachel says, “This particular excuse is not about your skill. This excuse is about your fear” (p.61). What fear do you mask with this excuse? How can you flip the script on this fear and turn it into motivation?
2. What are the negative effects of comparing ourselves with others? How do comparisons interfere with the pursuit of our goals?
Excuse 8: What Will They Think?
1. If you could try one new thing without fear of judgment, what would it be?
2. What is the danger in desiring validation from others? Is it possible to remain true to yourself while “obsessing over what other people think” (p.75)?
Excuse 9: Good Girls Don’t Hustle
1. Do you have dreams that are bigger than others’ expectations of you? How does your environment incentivize you to think small? Why does it sometimes feel wrong to want more?
2. Make a list of unique qualities and gifts you possess. Do you tend to downplay these qualities? Or do you embrace and nurture them? How can they be an asset to you as you pursue your goal?
Please answer the discussions below:
Excuse 1. That's not what Other Women Do
1. Rachel says that she used to bury her accomplishments and dreams so she could be "just like every other woman" (p.5) Do you have dreams or accomplishments that you bury or keep secret in order to fit in?
2. How might your life change for the better if you, like Rachel, could learn to reject the idea of what a "woman is supposed to be" (p.13) and instead embrace the woman you are? What fear must you overcome to do this?
Excuse 2: I'm Not A Goal-Oriented Person
1. What is the difference between a "dream" and a "goal”?
2. Are you a goal-oriented person? What personal or professional goals would you like to pursue?
Excuse 3: I Don’t Have Time
1. Review the timeline of your week. How much time do you spend on the things you value most? How much time do spend on things that are less important to you? What are you willing to spend less time doing so that you can spend more time pursuing your goals?
2. What time of day are you at your best? Why is it important to schedule your “ Five to Thrive” (p.24) hours during this time?
Excuse 4: I’m Not Enough To Succeed
1. Do you hold a “limiting belief” (p.31) about yourself that hinders you pursuing your goals? What fears lie at the root of that belief? How might you prove the belief false?
2. Rachel says, “you get to decide what to believe” (p.40). Why do we tend to believe negative opinions about ourselves more readily than positive ones? What does it mean to “flip the script and force yourself to see the positive where you’ve only seen negative” (p.35)?
Excuse 5: I Can’t Pursue My Dream And Still Be a Good Mom
1. Fill in the blank: I can’t pursue my dream and still be a good __________
What is your definition of “a good_____________”? Is this definition based on other people’s expectations or your own personal ideals?
2. “You cannot waste (your life) living only for everyone else” Do you feel it is selfish to put your well being first? Why or why not?
Excuse 6: I’m Terrified of Failure
1. How does pride feed the fear of failure? In the pursuit of our goals, how can we remain humble and yet confident enough to persevere?
2. Can failure actually help lead to success?
Excuse 7: It’s Been Done Before
1. Rachel says, “This particular excuse is not about your skill. This excuse is about your fear” (p.61). What fear do you mask with this excuse? How can you flip the script on this fear and turn it into motivation?
2. What are the negative effects of comparing ourselves with others? How do comparisons interfere with the pursuit of our goals?
Excuse 8: What Will They Think?
1. If you could try one new thing without fear of judgment, what would it be?
2. What is the danger in desiring validation from others? Is it possible to remain true to yourself while “obsessing over what other people think” (p.75)?
Excuse 9: Good Girls Don’t Hustle
1. Do you have dreams that are bigger than others’ expectations of you? How does your environment incentivize you to think small? Why does it sometimes feel wrong to want more?
2. Make a list of unique qualities and gifts you possess. Do you tend to downplay these qualities? Or do you embrace and nurture them? How can they be an asset to you as you pursue your goal?