Last week we talked about the one-foot-in prison. The place where you're half-committed, half-ready to bail.

This week we're going to kill the lies that keep you there.

Not your lazy excuses. Those aren't the problem. You know they're garbage. You don't actually believe them.

The dangerous excuses are the ones that sound smart. The ones you can explain to people and they nod along. The ones that feel responsible, strategic, thoughtful.

"Building a business takes time." "I'm being careful about this." "I have responsibilities to consider."

For five years, I had incredible excuses. Award-winning. I could explain to anyone why I wasn't further along, and they'd completely understand.

All reasonable. All kept me stuck.

Here's what I finally learned: The lie isn't that your excuse is false. The lie is that it matters.

"The timing isn't right" — might be true. Doesn't matter. "I have a family" — definitely true. Doesn't matter. "I need more experience" — probably true. Doesn't matter.

Successful people have the same excuses you do. The difference? They decided their excuses don't get a vote.

This week, I'm going to walk you through the five most dangerous lies. The ones that kept me stuck. The ones that are probably keeping you stuck too.

By the end of this week, you won't have anywhere to hide.

Done negotiating.

-Joel