You are Responsible for You

Two things drive me crazy. One is political correctness, and the other is the lack of responsibility we have in our society today. Success-minded people must realize that they will never reach a level of real success unless they take full responsibility for their life. As speaker, Les Brown said, “Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else.”

What personal responsibility means is to take control of your life, to realize that what you do and where you go is a matter of choice, and you are the one making a choice. Success-minded people know that if things happen, good and bad, they must be responsible for them. Author and leadership trainer, Jim Rohn, said, “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.”

“We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.”

Ronald Reagan

1911-2004

40^th President

If there are addictions or bad habits that you need to overcome in your life, you must first take responsibility for them. You cannot blame your parents, your spouse, or society. Your choices are your own. Once you take responsibility, you can make the changes needed because you are in charge again. Those who hide behind excuses for their bad behavior will never see victory in life. As Benjamin Franklin said, “He who is good at excuses is good at very little else.”

The same is true for success in your life. Success-minded people work hard to make the right choices and do the right things. That is responsibility. It does not just own up to mistakes; it is also, and mainly, making choices. I love the books by Dr. Seuss. I read them when I was a kid, and I read them to my grandchildren. In his book, Oh, The Places You Will Go, he said: “You have brains in your head. / You have feet in your shoes. / You can steer yourself / Any direction you choose.”

Success-minded people will take responsibility for themselves and know they will never live successfully until they face it, embrace it, and enjoy the reality of it. It feels good to be in charge of yourself. 

“But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one shall bear his own load.”

Galatians 6:4-5

You can learn more about Personal Development from author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey. To get his books, training material, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   

© 2020 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this may be reprinted or published without the permission of the author.