Excuses. We’ve all made them, and we all know we shouldn't...I think everyone knows we shouldn’t. When we are at a weak point and want to feel better about ourselves, it’s easier to blame others than to look in the mirror and be accountable. Accountability is significant, and only certain people care to be responsible for what they’re doing. Others will continue to make excuses.

Excuses will never get you closer to your goals because excuses never get to the problem of the situation. The problem is you. You haven’t been able, to be honest with yourself, and because you can’t be honest with yourself, you will continue to make excuses as to why your weak foot isn’t getting better, or why you haven’t improved. Until you take responsibility, so many players are going to pass you, it’s that simple.  Fear not, I’m here to help those who want to change and grow as players. It won’t be easy, but with the right mindset, it is possible. Here are the three questions you need to ask yourself about your accountability as a soccer player.

1. Has anything ever been your fault?

If you’re going through the world feeling as if you’re never wrong and nothing is your fault, you will lose. Your belief in thinking you’re always right is crippling and won’t get you to become change your perspective. Reason being is you will never be able to objectively look at a situation because there is no point because you feel you’re right. It’s a dangerous loop, and it has to be broken. If you struggle to think of a time you’re wrong, you need different eyes for perspective. Everyone has made excuses and haven’t been accountable, so you have to get that in your head. Just because this is true in certain situations, it doesn’t mean it has to be your truth forever, and I think that is why players make excuses. They feel if they make a mistake, that defines them forever. That’s not true. What you can’t do is continue done the path of letting others take the blame. That isn’t a quality scouts or coaches are looking for either, and trust me, the second they see this type of yelling and blaming others, they’ll be sure to make a note of it.

2. Have the difficult conversation

The conversation has to be had, and it should be amongst teammates. Teammates should let you know who you are as a player. Your teammates are your lifeline; you have to remember this. So you must understand that when you throw them under the bus, you’re revealing what kind of teammate you are. Teammates are there to help you grow and to be your support through the good and bad times. This only happens the day you decide to stop making excuses and want to become the best player you can be.

3. What do I want to do as a soccer player

What are you trying to accomplish in the game? This is what you have to ask yourself. If you can't answer this, you will never be able to know what you're trying to achieve. You need to ask yourself tough questions, this will help with you not making excuses. You need to have a clear understanding of what it is you want and to stop making excuses. The more you make excuses, the further you'll get away from the goal. How bad do you want your dreams to become reality?