Obviously, the first principle is all about taking responsibility for your own life. How many people really do that? Not many, thats for sure. Everyone has excuses for everything. Its always someone, or something, else’s fault… yeah right. People blame the economy, their boss, their spouse, the weather, discrimination, lack of money, their equipment, their car….. etc, etc, etc.
And as Jack puts it: “No doubt all of these factors do exist, but if they were the deciding factor, nobody would ever succeed.”
We need to change oure responses to things that happen to, or around, us. You choose to be upset when you get stuck in traffic. You choose to say you are having a bad day just because you get out of bed and bump your head right away. Think about that for a minute. You might have bumped your head, and it probably hurt… and it most likely annoyed you as well… but next time something like this happens, I dare you to laugh it off… smile about it. Consciously think about how significant it really is in the scheme of your life… and ou know what? Suddenly, its not that big of deal… and you avoid the domino effect of letting each of the following “little things” get to you.
As Jack says: “Everything you think, say, and do needs to become intentional and aligned with your purpose, your values, and your goals.”
If you don’t like the results you are getting in your life, change your actions. If you don’t like the situation you are in, get out of it. You don’t have control over others, or the weather, or many other things around us, but you do conrol your responses to these things around you.
Take ownership of your life and you will be that much closer to the life you desire. I know its hard, but even if you really and truly were a victim of discrimination, or some circumstance of bad luck, or whatever… take ownership! Realize that you have the power to do something about it… change your actions, change your mind, change your words, change your friends, change your job, change your car… whatever it takes… Take ownership of your future, and steer your own ship in the direction want to go instead of aimlessly floating about letting everyone else, or random chance, take you where you dont want to go.
Make it a great day!
Hey Shane. I like what you are doing here. I cant wait until you get into some of the more exciting chapters.
I have always thought I was a pretty good at taking responsibility for myself… but now that I think about it, I still have some work to do.
Thanks for the posts… and keep it up. I think I’m gonna go buy the book tomorrow.