Taking Responsibility
In a day and age where it is easy to pass blame, it is important to focus on and take accountability for what you can control.
Create a healthy environment for not only yourself, but the people around you as well. Below we will talk about some things you can do to take more ownership in your everyday dealings and how you can incorporate them into your life.
Blame-Less
The first step to taking more accountability is to stop blaming others for any misfortunes you may encounter in life. That is not to say that sometimes life is unfair and that you aren’t ever a victim of your circumstance, but reality is what will placing the blame on others for that get you? The answer is unfortunately nothing other than bitterness, resentment and a feeling of powerlessness. Also, chances are whoever made you feel that way doesn’t really care, so why give them that kind of power over you? By not blaming others you take back full control and ownership over your life and to be honest, that feels pretty good.
Learn to L-O-V-E
Learn to love yourself. If you find you are struggling to take responsibility for yourself and your actions chances are pretty high it’s due to the fact that you don’t value yourself. If we are being frank, if you don’t value yourself, how do you expect anyone else to see your value either? Self-esteem is an odd two-way street, but the fact of the matter is it has to start with you. Start by learning to appreciate the things about you that you maybe don’t like so much. When you love yourself you have no choice but to take responsibility and this includes things that maybe aren’t the most likable about you.
Make a Game Plan
Game plan for your life. The most successful people have a routine of daily habits that help propel them forward in life. Ask yourself, what are you doing everyday to grow and improve your life? Daily habits can include anything from what you do when you first wake up in the morning, to the kinds of food you eat, and how you talk to yourself throughout your day. Need some ideas to get started on making better daily habits?
Have a strict bedtime/wake up time
Exercise regularly
Take mental breaks
Avoid toxic energy (people and/or places)
Stop Chasing
Another good way to start taking responsibility for your life is to stop chasing happiness through outside sources. This includes anything from buying new things you don’t need, chasing a promotion with more money, or a relationship. We are not saying you shouldn’t pursue those things because you should—these are things that make life more fun, but if you want them to fill a void in your life you might want to reconsider and do some inside work instead. The fact is when we go after things to make us happy, the joy they bring once obtained will only be temporary. However, if you are in a good place on your own and happen to obtain a new pair of shoes, or meet the love of your life you are just adding to the happiness that is already within you instead of trying to cover over unhappiness with something superficial.
Your Word is Your Bond
Be good to your word. If you say you are going to do something—whether to yourself or someone else make sure you follow through. The more you can practice good follow-through on commitments the more trustworthy you will be to others and yourself and the better your life will be. There are a few rules of thumb to follow when it comes to follow-through.
Don’t commit to something you aren’t 100% prepared to do. Your “yes” should always act like a binding contract.
When you do say “yes” schedule it. Writing it down makes it more likely you will finish what you started.
Things sometimes happen. If for whatever reason you can’t complete your commitment, own up to it and try to make it up in the future.
Always be honest. Telling the truth isn’t easy, however, you can’t be the go-to person for people if you are unwilling to tell the truth, even when it is hard.
Take Action
You can have the best laid out goals and ambitions, but if you aren’t actually going to take action they will never be accomplished. If you aren’t taking action, you aren’t taking responsibility. Period. It doesn’t matter if you have to take small steps to start, the most important part is that you start and see it through.