I started reading this book…

And it’s made me think about some things…

Some things I’ve never thought about…

Or never thought about in this particular way…

So I’m going to share what I’m learning.

I’m reading The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. He’s the co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Mayaresponsibilityquote

 

Success Principle #1: Take 100% Responsibility For Your Life.

My initial thought reading the title of this chapter: Well… Duh… I got this one. I’m a responsible person. I pay all my bills. I keep my word. I always follow through. I don’t rely on handouts or favors. I’m already 100% responsible. I totally buy the idea that if I eat snickers parfaits every night for dessert, I’m going to get fat and that’s my responsibility. Or if I do a shitty job at work and get fired that’s my responsibility. Or if I write sucky books no one will want to buy them.

But that’s not exactly what Jack Canfield means when he says we need to take 100% responsibility. He means responsibility for everything.

Everything.

Ev-er-y-thing.

E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

My health, achievement, relationships, satisfaction, income, feelings, state of mind, job, successes, and…

…failures. Ouch that one hurts a little. It’s always easier to blame someone else or complain than confront the idea that I might be responsible for my own failures.

“Taking responsibility means you acknowledge that you create everything that happens to you. It means you understand that you are the cause of all of your experiences. If you want to be really successful, and I know you do, then you will have to give up blaming and complaining and take total responsibility for your life—that means all your results, both your successes and your failures.”

~Jack Canfield, The Success Principles.

No blaming. No complaining. Only taking 100% responsibility.Sunset on Vacation

If I can’t blame and I can’t complain, then the one thing I can do is control my reaction to whatever happens. I can choose to be upset, angry, defeated. Or I can choose to be inspired, happy, and determined. I can choose to look at the beauty of a sunset instead of mourning the passing of a day. My attitude is a HUGE part of me taking responsibility.

Have you read The Success Principles?

Want to join me on a journey through the principles?

What do you think about giving up blaming and complaining?

Jack Canfield and Janet Switzer, The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be (New York: William Morrow, 2015) 4-5.

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