What does it mean to be responsible?
By running a simple search on google, it means “ having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one’s job or role.” In this scenario, we talk about oneself, taking into account, the key word ‘Control’.
Being responsible for oneself has a great deal of control to it, how you manage yourself and your environment, because once you can tweak your environment to work for you the job is as good as done.
Now you may ask how does the environment work for me?
Simple, understanding that whatsoever the outcome of the environment, you are in charge, you alone decide how you react to these changes. Do these changes in the environment have mitigating effects on you? Understanding that you alone decides how it affects you, now that is what it means to have sheer control over the environment.
Many times a lot of people use their environment as an excuse for not doing something saying “oh my job’’, “oh, the people”, “oh, the policies”, “oh, my neighbor” and even “O, my foot!”. But i believe (and you should too) that once you want something done, you will find a way else you would find an excuse.
Lets look at various aspects in which people lack in taking responsibility:
Failure
On failing, many a times, people play the blame game. Not taking a fall, looking for someones else to hold responsible, to say “it was because of this person” or “it was because of this thing”, “if only this didn’t happen”. They go on to dwell on this and end becoming failures themselves.
You only fail when you lose and give up, rather when you fail at something, you try again, and when you succeed, the initial failure becomes only part of the plan!
If you fail for the 100th time, own up to it, correct your mistakes and try again.
Risk
This is simply an exposure to loss, or the likelihood of a loss.
In the end, nobody wants to lose. Having this in mind, people end up being conservative in their approach to taking risks, on a few dive head-on into the lake, without a fallback plan, trusting only in their abilities.
Taking calculated risks is paramount to living (not just existing) and success. Being responsible for the outcome of these risks even before they are taken is a key attribute of successful people. Be aware of the fact that no matter how it turns out, you made the choice, be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.
According to Albert Einstein:
A ship is always safe at the shore — but that is NOT what it is built for.
Achieving
This means to bring about a desired objective or goal.
You are the architect of your goals, you alone plans it out and decides which route is best. You may receive advice from people, family and friends but it all boils down to you.
Have it in mind that if you are successful, you were responsible for the key decisions made, others may influence your decisions in one way or the other but the strength shown in the amount of control exercised over these decisions is key.
Your success shouldn’t depend on others, or the environment, rather you should be able to take charge of yourself as soon as possible. Be aware of your achievements how little they may be, but do not be relaxed as change is always constant.
Lastly,
Happiness
To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one’s family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one’s own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him. — Buddha
I guess that quote says it all.
People blame others too much and various other factors for their unhappiness, some say its a job, money, family, society, health, e.t.c.
It is understandable that bad things happen in the world, but no good comes out of dwelling on wrongs and hoping it corrects the damage already done.
You are responsible for your happiness, people and things may try to influence it, but you are still responsible for it. Only when you are happy can you radiate happiness on others. Whatever makes you happy, do it, except making others sad i guess and getting in traffic, who loves traffic??. Develop a proactive nature, smell bad vibes from miles away and stay away from it.
Note, once you are responsible you attract responsible people and that’s a good thing i suppose. Live a good life because you deserve to. Now ye shall go forth and become more responsible!
