I was once teaching a room full of new graduates about investing in real estate. 

I was discussing how in order to purchase one property I had to look at a hundred. It didn’t take long before the room was full of excuses ranging from, “I’m too old,” to “I’m too busy,” to “My credit’s bad.” 

I went back and forth with the students brave enough to engage me. Eventually, a few of them started to understand my point. 

One mother, in particular, was insistent that she truly didn’t have the time. 

“Then just be honest about it,” I said. “Just say, ‘I’m not going to make the time.’” 

“So, all you are saying is to stop whining, complaining, and acting like babies.” 

“That’s a great way of saying it,” I said. “Grow up, and stop acting like babies. Every time you make an excuse, you’re acting like a baby.” 

“Well, not everyone is rich like you with all the free time and money in the world,” said someone from a back row. The room groaned with that remark. 

Smiling, I said, “I would not have the free time and money if I had let excuses be truths instead of lies. I too started without any money. I too had mountains of debt, nearly a million dollars. And I too am busy.” 

“And you would still have those problems if you had used those problems as excuses,” said the woman with no time. “I get what you are saying. Excuses hold us back. No one else holds us back.” 

“That’s correct,” I said. “Rich dad often said, ‘Excuses are the words coming from the loser in you.’” 

“So, by being more honest with your excuses, that honesty allows the winner in you to take over,” said the woman with no time. “If you are truthful with your excuses, then the loser shuts up and the winner can be heard.” 

“Exactly,” I said. “And the more the winner in you speaks, the more you grow up. But first, you need to be willing to call your game tighter and raise your own standards.” 

“So how can I find more time?” asked the woman with no time. 

“Great question,” I said with a big smile. “The winner in you is now talking.” 

“It is? I am?” said the woman with no time. 

“Sure. Instead of complaining to me that you have no time and letting the loser in you speak to you, the winner in you is asking me how I found the time. If the loser speaks, you learn nothing. But if the winner speaks, you might learn something.” 

The same can be said about taking control of your personal finances. Either you’re going to make it a priority… or you’re not.