If you're in the US Army, training to be an officer at West Point and a superior asks you a question, you have four responses:

'Yes sir'

'No sir'

'I don't understand sir'

 and, 'I have no excuse sir'.

The last one is my favourite.

I wonder how much time and mental band-width we use thinking of an excuse?

A clever reason why we didn't do the thing, hit the deadline, think of a better way, respond correctly, etc.

Wouldn't it be easier to say, 'I have no excuse', then just get on and do whatever?

West Point drives home responsibility.

The truth is, it's easier to blame than take responsibility.

I didn't send an email last week - no excuse. I'll write two for you this week.

Be Brilliant!