One of the things that I can remember learning early on in my career was about the word RESPONSIBILITY meaning, the ability to respond. It seemed like a powerful notion that I always had the ability to respond to any and every situation that came into my life. It was also frightening to think that once I adopted this notion it would be more difficult to play the role of the victim. Let’s face it, it is so convenient to play this role and deny ourselves the freedom of choice. However, when we deny ourselves choice we operate from a belief system of pain. Taking responsibility ensures that we are aware of how we can move ourselves to a belief system of power in any given situation. Think of an issue in your life right NOW – are you operating from a belief system of pain or power? What would your score be from 1 being in PAIN to 10 being in POWER?
PAIN POWER
1 ___________________________________________ 10
Paralysis Choices
Stuck Opportunities
Depression Excitement
Blaming Responsibility
Uncertainty Clarity
No control 90% control
External focus Internal focus
Thoughts Actions
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE OF LIFE
MEANS…
1. Never blame anyone for anything you are being, doing, having or feeling. When you blame others you give up your right to respond to the situation and hand over your power to the other person, expecting them to make it right. You have lost the choice to make it better, be better, do it better.
2. Never blame yourself, either…just see everything you do as part of a learning and growing process. Work from the premise that there is no such thing as failure only feedback and allow yourself to learn the lesson.
3. Stop complaining. Complaining is a big clue that you are not taking responsibility for your experience of life. Instead of seeing life’s obstacles as problems, see them as opportunities, opening the door to growth.
4. Handle the inner “Chatterbox” by learning how to replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts from your Higher Self. Look at yourself in a mirror. What do you hear?
5. Determine what you really want in life and act on it. Stop waiting for someone to give it to you. Dream a bit. Have a vision. Set goals. Act on them one at a time.
6. If there are two paths to take, always choose the path that contributes to your sense of power and growth…and allows you to contribute to the world in your own special way.
BOTTOM LINE:
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR REACTION TO WHATEVER HAPPENS TO YOU IN LIFE.
IN THIS LIES YOUR POWER!
From Feel the fear and do it anyway®, 1987, 2007, Copyright©, Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. All rights reserved.
“The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.”
George Bernard Shaw
Speak Your Mind