One of the things I've noticed about successful people is that they have a clear understanding of the relationship between cause and effect in their lives. Successful people understand that if they want something, they have to do all the necessary things to get it.
"If I do this, then that will happen. If I don't do that, then this will happen." This important skill allows successful people to anticipate and plan for the future.
Our culture teaches the opposite of responsibility
Unfortunately, we live in a culture that teaches the opposite of responsibility. If something good happens, it's luck. If something bad happens, it's definitely someone else's fault, certainly not mine.
The belief that we are not responsible sabotages all the power that can be found in taking responsibility for our lives.
When it comes to understanding the power of responsibility, there are three main areas we need to understand. The first has to do with the concept of maturity, the second involves something I call "the ability to respond," and the third has to do with four things for which we are always responsible.
Maturity
We are born male or female. We must choose to become men and women. One of the best definitions of maturity I've ever heard is that we become a man or woman when we take responsibility for our lives. This involves taking responsibility for our attitude, choices and actions. More on this later.
Author and speaker Edwin Louis Cole offers us five characteristics of someone who is immature and/or irresponsible. See if any of these sound familiar -
demanding your own way
insensitivity to others
believe and act like you are the center of the universe
temper tantrums
unreasonable - can't be reasoned with
If you notice yourself in any of these characteristics, read on, because here come two ways to begin to take responsibility.
React vs. RespondSo What Are We Responsible for Anyway?
So what are we responsible for anyway? I'm glad you asked. In all but the most extreme of situations, we are always responsible for these four things -
Our attitude - Even in really crummy situations, we can still control our attitude. If you are stuck in traffic, you can yell and curse, honk your horn and rail against whoever built the roads. Or you can listen to music or a tape, have a conversation, or watch other people react. Either way, you're stuck in traffic.
Our choices - Each of us is given the power of choice in our lives. Yet we so often and so easily give it up. Seizing control of our choices is one powerful way to take responsibility for our lives.
Our actions - Because we have the power of choice, we have control over the actions we choose to take. I realize that what I am saying may be heresy to some in our "victim mentality" society. That doesn't make it any less true, however.
The consequences of our attitude, choices and actions - Here's the scary part. Many times we don't have control over the consequences. Once a cause is set in motion, it can be difficult or impossible to stop. We are still responsible for the consequences. That's why it's so important to take responsibility for our attitude, choices and actions.
Maturity, responding instead of reacting, and taking control of our attitude, choices and actions.
That's a prescription for accessing the power and strength of responsibility in our lives.
Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.
We are all guilty of delaying what needs to be... Read More
Everyone has something, whether it be a habit, or aspect... Read More
I've heard it said that 85% of success is showing... Read More
Read that again. It doesn't say "We like the things... Read More
Being human is being fallible. Evolution determines that we all... Read More
Imagine being able to choose any outcome and automatically feel... Read More
The Japanese have a word for death by overwork: Karoshi.... Read More
I worked hard for the past 17 years. I felt... Read More
There's a party going on in my backyard. Just beyond... Read More
The 21-year-old rookie cop had his big chance to brag... Read More
This is a key to lasting motivation and beating procrastination.If... Read More
The only reason some people enjoy success while others fail... Read More
January is almost over.Why do most New Year's Resolutions fail?By... Read More
There is one sure way to get what you want... Read More
And somehow you knew how to stay motivated...Goals are mysterious... Read More
Have you ever tried putting a puzzle together, only to... Read More
If you want to be a winner you have to... Read More
What is fear's purpose? How do you handle it? While... Read More
As often happens following one of the Best Year Yet... Read More
The other day I was on my way home, and... Read More
Who are we, standing here on this planet, looking for... Read More
It never fails. Another new year approaches. You watch that... Read More
Want to know how to run your brain and be... Read More
I have a confession to make - several confessions in... Read More
Looking for a way to handle a setback?Edward W. Smith,... Read More
It was Socrates who said that the purpose of philosophy... Read More
We can all get in a rut from time to... Read More
These words came up powerfully for me these past few... Read More
Looking for a summer project? How about working on who... Read More
While most people spend most of their lives struggling to... Read More
-Lack of a specific purpose in life. You can not... Read More
Do you remember that old television program that gave the... Read More
Maybe it is time to discover a new way to... Read More
One of the greatest challenges facing our ever intensive quest... Read More
The definition of Motivation in Webster's Dictionary: Motive - the... Read More
It's early January as I sit down to research and... Read More
I am not a golfer, unless you count an occasional... Read More
I edited and re-edited my article. I had to make... Read More
I have some questions for you. Are you ready? How... Read More
Why do you do what you do? What is your... Read More
We all gravitate toward what we feel most comfortable doing.... Read More
Many people long for a better life. In fact, I... Read More
1. Where do I start to create a new life?There... Read More
How many times have you been faced with a decision... Read More
My experience tells me there are three stages people go... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Your... Read More
I've always heard that "public speaking" is the number one... Read More
It was 4,O'Clock in the morning, my regular time to... Read More
"How far you go in life depends on your being... Read More
Everyone wants success. People talk about setting goals and positive... Read More
We are all guilty of wanting to change our circumstances,... Read More
The motivation for good or bad which we get from... Read More
Taking action about our current station in life involves taking... Read More
Procrastination is of no use to you in your quest... Read More
Stopping procrastination can be challenging, especially since you can't put... Read More
Suggested practice to gain freedom from self-limitation.It is suggested that... Read More
Hello,How is your day coming along? Better, I am sure,... Read More
It is something that everyone ? and I do mean... Read More
Procrastination is a complicated behavior that affects all people to... Read More
You lost your job. Your partner left you. Your car... Read More
If a total stranger came up to you and said:... Read More
'Procrastination is like a credit card: it's a lot of... Read More
It was only about 18 months ago that I could... Read More
All of us have a vision of our own possibility.... Read More
Have you ever imagined that life could be a lot... Read More
You've probably heard the term "leading edge" used to refer... Read More
Motivation |