In short, if it isn’t you, yourself, then it flippen well should be. Let me explain…
Too many people feel that life conspires against them. Circumstances have merged in order to stagnate their self-development, or halt their career, or ‘put on ice’ some personal ambition. For some, for sure, at times, yes life can be very much like this. I don’t dispute that. We all have moments, days, weeks… when things beyond our control (‘uncontrollables’) occur, & we have to deal with it the best we can. But for many of us, the bulk of the time, we are who we are, or where we are, because of the decisions we’ve made in the past. The things we have chosen to do, or chosen not to do.
Whether you are a leader, a manager or just (hmm – don’t like that word – no-one is ever just ‘just’) part of a team, what you do with your time, & how you present yourself & your ideas, can have a big impact on those around you, the journey you are on, & your final destination.
What I am saying is that there is so much around & in front of you that falls into a category that I would call, ‘controllables’. These are things that you can, through choice, have a direct, positive impact upon. As opposed to an arm’s length, negative, lukewarm, mediocre at best, excuse for not trying your hardest or being the best version of yourself there is. If you want to achieve anything meaningful you should be seeking ways that take you closer to the point of success. People who are successful often will find the right route through hard work, whilst those who fail to achieve greater things usually, early on in the process, only find an excuse. I can hear these ‘reasons to fail before we even start’, right now as I type: “It’s too difficult”; “My boss won’t agree to change the way we do things”; “The system is against me”; “I’m not any good at this”; “I’m scared that it all goes wrong & I look stupid”.
Seriously! If you really want something that bad, you will find a way, or at the very least put in the hours & give it a darn good try. “If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse” (Jim Rohn, American Entrepreneur). If all you do find is an excuse, then you possibly just didn’t want it bad enough. In which case, don’t complain about it. It was your choice not to push yourself harder, or step outside your comfort zone. Accept responsibility for your own decision not to pursue it fully. But don’t kid yourself on & don’t blame it in someone else. Where you are at, is down to you, & you alone. Now that may be good enough for you, & there is most definitely no sin in being happy with your lot.
But what if you are feeling that you could be doing better. Well, take a long look in the mirror & give yourself a good kick up the behind & change your attitude & your approach. Once you change, you may very well find that things around you begin to change also. Positive things begin to happen. Big steps, small steps – but all heading further than what would be the case if you hadn’t accepted self-responsibility. So, get on board the bus, but don’t be a passenger. Take an active role, & get in the driving seat. Get that idea, or project, or new personal goal on the road. Find a way, not an excuse.
