1) The document discusses the difference between viewing challenges as opportunities versus excuses. It argues that viewing ourselves as creators of our own opportunities allows us to achieve success, while making excuses keeps us stagnant. 2) It provides an example of a coaching client, Sandy, who initially sees her husband's behavior as an excuse for her own unhappiness. Through coaching, she shifts to see it as an opportunity to pursue activities outside the house for her own well-being. 3) As coaches, we can help clients shift from excuses to opportunities by focusing on their strengths, prior successes in overcoming challenges, and the multiple options they have for action and improvement.

1. Clare Ng
Opportunity vs. Excuse
“When you’ve exhausted all of the possibilities, remember this: You haven’t”
-Thomas Edison
Opportunity occurs when we embrace the possibilities. By refusing to allow
difficulties to get in the way of our success, we create our own opportunities.
Opportunity is defined as “a good position,chance,orprospect,as for advancement
or success.” Too many times, people wait for an opportunity to come along.They live
their lives stagnant waitingfor the chance to come to them,when,in reality, it’s the
act of being active that actually creates the opportunity.Opportunity and action walk
hand in hand. When we view ourselves as being in a position of opportunity,we are
acknowledging thatwe have the powerto choose success. We view challenges not as
barriers, but simply as detours along our journey. When we do not view ourselves as
being the creatorof our own opportunities, we create excuses. We think of reasons
why we should remain inactive.We allow any challenge to give us a rationalreason to
not reach our goals. Excuses are our fears creeping in to tell us that we are not
capable of success. Telling us we aren’t good enough,smart enough,orstrong enough
to reach our goals. By pushing past the difficulties and rising above our excuses, we
will be able to find hope in possibilities and be able to see the opportunities available
to us.
The power toolopportunity vs. excuse focuses on surface level change in perspective.
Often in coaching,we work with the client to make deep shifts in their outlook on the
issue at hand.When a client first begins the coaching process,they may be feeling
overwhelmed by the possibility of change.By shifting theirperspective to the positive
view of opportunity,they will be able to see they have options. As coaches, we can
support the client in this simple change in perspective that will open the doorfor
many deepershifts later in the process.
Self Application:
Imagine youare hiking through the woods. At the start of the trail you chose to
follow the blue path. It was clearly marked and easy to follow as there were signs
along the trees. As you continue,the trail becomes less distinct.The markers are

2. further and further apart,so it is hard to tell whetheryouare on the right path to
reach your destination.You take a moment to assess the situation and decide you
have two options. One is to go back the way you came.The trail behind you is safe
and well marked.It would be easy to follow your steps backwards and take the clear
path in your comfort zone.The otheroption is to continue moving forward- taking
the chance on the road ahead.You know that it may be scary and more difficult, but
you know the possibilities are endless if you decided to push past your fear of the
unknown.
The two options in the scenario compare to our choices in life: opportunity and
excuse. In life, when we are faced with a challenge, we have the option to be in the
position of opportunity- allowing ourselves to take a risk and move outside of our
comfort zone to move closer to our goals. We can also choose to choose a position of
excuse- deciding that the challenge will force us to remain inactive or even worse
retract backwards away from our goals and success. We can view the present situation
as an excuse to return back to the safe path or as an opportunity to explore the
unknown and reach our highest potential.
CoachingApplication:
As a coach,our job is to support our clients in taking action.There may be times
when we notice that the client is making excuses to remain inactive along their
journey. We can help the client by bringing clarity around the limiting beliefs causing
them to lean towards excuse vs. opportunity.Forexample, the client may have a fear
of inadequacy.When faced with a challenge, they may believe that they do not have
the qualifications or experience required to view this situation as an opportunity to try
something new.Because ofthis fear, they see the challenge as an excuse to remain
inactive for fear that will not be able to branch out on their own to reach success.
When a client views a challenge with tunnelvision, they see the excuse as theironly
option.We can support the clients in widening their view to see the many options
they have to move forward in action.

3. Considerthis case study.
Sandy has come to her coach unhappy with her home life and feeling like she has no
option to improve it. She comes to the session feeling stuck and frustrated.
Sandy:“I’m unhappy with my husband.Wheneverhe is home,he spends his time
watching TV.He doesn’t like to spend time outside,explore new places, or spend
time with friends”
Coach: “How is this a problem for you?”
Sandy:“It stops me from doing things I like to do because I feel like I need to stay in
the house when he does.”
Coach:“What emotionsarise when you think of your husband watchingTV?”
Sandy:“I feel a sensation of angerevery time I walk into the house. The emotion
overtakes to the point that I cannot enjoy the things I likes to do”
Coach:“I can see that you carry this angerwith you even here in our session. I would
like to invite you to take a deep breath and let that tension go for the moment.”
Sandy:*takes deep breath*
Sandy’s current position is that of excuse.She sees her husband’s behavioras barrier
that won’t allow her to be happy at home. Sandy uses her husband’s behavioras an
excuse to remain inside and unhappy because he has chosen to remain inside.
Coach: “How can you see your husband’s spendingtime watchingTV as an
opportunity foryourself?”
Sandy:“Hmm,that’s an interesting question. Perhaps I could use this time to get out
of the house”
Coach:“That’s great!What could you do during this time out of the house?”
Sandy:“Well, I could spend some time by myself, or visit with family and friends.
Coach:“What does it feel like to make the decision to be active instead of staying at
home with your husband?”
Sandy:“It feels like a relief! I don’t feel that angeror tension anymore.It feels much
better.”
Coach:“I’d really like to acknowledge you,Sandy,for taking a step back and seeing
this situation from anotherperspective.What is it that you are taking away from this
session today?”

4. Sandy:“I am taking away the realization that I have options! I can choose to stay at
home with my husband,but I can also use this time as an opportunity to get out of
the house and do things on my own.”
When she views the challenge with a more open mind,she understandsthat her
happiness is in her hands. Instead ofusing her angeras an excuse, she has shifted it to
an opportunity to explore other options she has rather than to remain stagnant and
unhappy.
As coaches, we want to help focus the client on theirstrengths and help find a
reference for success in a challenging moment.Challenges they have overcome in the
past can give them a boost ofmotivation to help them regain a positive outlook. We
can help clients explore what drives them to let excuses get in the way of their goals
and happiness. It is imperative to create the awareness that we cannot controlother’s
behavior.We can only controlhow we react to it. By shifting the client’s perspective
to a place of opportunity,we are supporting them on a journey to explore their
options for success in a new light.
We can use this initial shift in perspective to branch into deepershifts later in our
sessions together.
Reflections:
1. Reflect on what goals you have set for yourself and barriers that have slowed
you in reaching them.
2. What limiting beliefs could drive a person to approaching a challenge with
excuses?
3. How can focusing on a client’s strengths shift them to a position of
opportunity?
4. What are some emotions youlink with excuse? With opportunity?
5. In what ways could excuse be an okay perspective for a client to take?
6. How can taking a perspective of opportunity shift the client’s beliefs?