As a success principle, this means you accept full responsibility for the consequences of your actions. Your actions aren’t only the physical activity you take to achieve your goal, it is the decisions you make that involve other people doing the work. 

You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. ~ Jim Rohn

There is no such thing as being entitled to a great life. Though it would seem that many think there is. There are heightened levels of expectations about quality career options for college graduates, quality family time, happy personal relationships, and a sense of deep fulfillment in all that we do. And these expectations are based on the fact that we exist. Our mere presence as a human being in the world entitles us to these things.

The reality is quite different. As you, and many others, learn when we begin to participate in society. 

The truth is that there is only one person responsible for the quality of the life you live, for the achievement of your goals, for the success you want to experience.

That person is you.

You see, when you believe someone else is responsible for where you are in life, you abdicate control to them.

Whereas, when you accept full responsibility for your life, right now, as it is, you have the control. You can change. You can change your thinking, your behavior, your feelings about the people in your life. You now have the freedom to choose the direction, decide the actions, choose the level of productivity you will have in a day, and so much more. No more excuses or blaming others because you’re now eating better, sleeping better, doing better work, keeping your word to those you made promises to, taking the courses to improve your skills, showing up, and achieving your goals. 

If you read this correctly, you understand that to be responsible for your actions and for your experience in life means that you’re not responsible for the tragedies or disasters or surprises that happen in life. You are responsible for how you respond to them. Falling into the blame game, making excuses because of something someone else did or didn’t do achieves nothing. Whereas, accepting that the situation has occurred, looking for solutions and taking action on solutions is achieving something – it is moving you forward, toward your goal.

What happens when you make a bad decision that costs you money? Money that you had set aside for a family vacation? The resentment and anger from the spouse and children can be overwhelming if you’re not prepared to be accountable to them for your decision. 

What happens when you choose to not resolve a miscommunication between you and a family member? The resulting assumptions on both sides can lead to awkwardness and uneasiness and eventually, a lack of communication altogether.

What happens when you assume someone is attacking you personally when they say they hate your idea? You’re unable to hear their feedback and miss out on ideas for improvement.

What happens when you feel the anger about the tornado that takes out your home while you’re making the decision to look for solutions? You see opportunities for shelter, you learn who to contact for food and water, and you can focus on taking care of business … the business of getting back on your feet with your home and possibly your business.

What happens when you lose a job because the employer doesn’t have work for you to do? You see the situation for what it is, feel a little sad that you won’t be spending time with your coworkers, and you begin looking for another job. 

Action Steps

>> Identify your excuses. 

>> Figure out why you’ve trained yourself to believe that these things are holding you back from success. 

>> Train yourself to have a different view about your excuses and look at each one as a challenge you can and will overcome.