For most of your life, there was some authority that decided right or wrong, ok or not ok, correct or incorrect.
This authority trained you that if you had a valid excuse, you would be forgiven for any wrong.
Homework not done? Power went out? Valid
Once you progress to a certain level in life, there is no greater authority. There may be reasons you miss your goals, but you are ultimately responsible for the outcome, and no excuse can possibly be valid because there is no validator.
Feature not shipped on time? Internet was out?
The feature still didn’t ship on time.
Didn’t hit sales goals? Marketing didn’t get you materials?
You still didn’t hit your sales goals.
____ ______ ______? _____ ______ ______?
Invalid.
Regardless of the reason, the reality remains unchanged. We operate in the real world, there is no greater authority, there is no validator, and there are no valid excuses.