It’s Your life – Own it!

Last week we talked about clues for success. As I’ve been reflecting on that topic, I realized that it doesn’t matter if someone was handed a 100% no-fail guarantee for success if that person doesn’t want to take responsibility for their future.

Taking decisions, owning your mistakes, and taking steps to make the best life for yourself can only happen if you decide that you’re going to take responsibility for your life.

You can’t always control the circumstances you face, however how you choose to respond to those circumstances is 100% down to you.

For some, responsibility is a burden. Why bother owning something when you can always heap it on another’s shoulders? Taking responsibility is actually key to living a happy, fulfilled life because you know that you have a choice in how to respond.

Here are some ways you can tell if you are taking responsibility in your life or not. This will help set you on the right path to being a responsible person, be it at work, in school, or in the home.

1. Decide Who you want to Be: What are your plans for the future? What house do you see yourself living in? What type of company do you see yourself working in? What business do you want to run? Know what it is that you want to do. Know the kind of person you want to be. Work towards that.

2. Decide what you really Want: What desire keeps you up at night? How can you work to make it real? Don’t be that ‘anything goes’ kind of person. Have dreams. Imagine big things. And commit yourself to following those dreams. Don’t be tossed to and fro because of indecision. Know what you want and go for it.

3. Stop playing the blame game: “I didn’t do it: she/he did.” “I would have done it, but something happened, and it’s all their fault.” Don’t blame others for whatever circumstance it is you are in. You also had a role to play: own up to it.

4. Don’t blame yourself: Many people have stagnated in life because they can’t forgive themselves for any number of reasons. Blaming yourself is probably more toxic than blaming another person, and you shouldn’t indulge in that. Self-pity, self-deprecation, and constantly blaming yourself are all part of irresponsibility. A responsible person will accept that they made a mistake, forgive themselves, apologize to all affected, and move on.

5. Be honest with yourself: You should be able to critically assess yourself and be objective. When you have done something praiseworthy, accept the praise, and celebrate yourself. If you have any habits that are not good, accept that and work on making yourself better.

6. You Always Have a Choice: Don’t say you don’t. Difficult choices and easy choices are still choices. Not making a decision is also a choice. You always have a choice.

Here’s to your success in owning your future.