Take Responsibility for Your Actions.

There are so many ways that can help you to live a successful life. The one that surfaces at the top for me is the ability to take responsibility for your actions.

Unfortunately, many people resort to blaming others for what is happening in their own lives instead of taking responsibility for their own contributions to what is going on with them. Blaming others and ignoring actions that cause you to be where you are now is counterproductive to your success. Doing this will keep you stuck doing the same things repeatedly, especially those things that don’t improve your life, skills, or happiness.

The best thing to do is to take responsibility for your actions. When you’ve done something to hurt someone, apologize and don’t make excuses. When you aren’t where you think you should be in life, take stock of what you have done, or not done to get you where you are today, then do something about it.

You are the only person responsible for the outcomes in your life, no one else. So if you don’t like where you are in life or don’t like what is happening in your life, do something about it.

Thought #2 – Don’t Defend Yourself

There is one universal fact in life; people will say things about you that aren’t true. Your natural reaction will be to defend yourself. I know because I have done it repeatedly. But what I have found is that the accuser’s lies and tactics tend to fade away after a while, especially when you choose not to fight or defend yourself.

Yes, I know. You may at some point need to fight and defend yourself, but for the most part you may not have to. If you have a good reputation it will speak for you and other people will dismiss what your accuser is saying.

Thought #3 – Limit Your Exposure.

You don’t have to stay in a toxic environment. You always have a choice to limit your exposure to people or things or actions that hurt you. This is one of the times when you can be selfish because you don’t deserve to be treated badly. Nobody does.

---

Quote for the Week

When you notice someone does something toxic the first time, don’t wait for the second time before you address it or cut them off. Many survivors are used to the “wait and see” tactic which only leaves them vulnerable to a second attack. As your boundaries get stronger, the wait time gets shorter. You never have justify your intuition.

-Shahida Arabi

An Article for You

How to Put a Manipulator in Their Place (And Take Back Power)

Reflection Questions

• Is there an action you are refusing to take responsibility for? Why?
• Do you have a hard time setting boundaries with a specific person? Why?
• List three tips from the article that can help you set boundaries with people.

0