Responsibility is the difference between an idea and an experience. Responsibility is the ingredient that separates thinkers from doers. Responsibility is the critical internal piece that will make THE difference between a normal year and an extra ordinary year (and decade).

To be responsible means to be fully accountable for the outcomes, result and fruitfulness that you want. It means that you refuse to blame other people for what your current circumstances are right now. It means that you carry a sense of balance between reality, optimism and unreasonable commitment to the future. Ambrose Bierce in The Devils Dictionary called responsibility, “A detachable burden easily shifted to the shoulders of God, fate, fortune, luck or one’s neighbour. In the days of astrology to was customary to unload it on a star.”

To make the most of your year (and decade) once you have become clear on your destination then you must look internally to choose to be responsible for the outcomes you want. It’s no one else’s job. It’s yours and yours alone.

Here are five ways you can walk down the pathway of personal responsibility.

#1: Self Lead

This is the essence of responsibility when it comes to personal growth. My friend Taki Moore says, “You can’t outsource your push ups.” Taki is right. The pathway you are intending to go on must be compelling enough for you to change and orientate your objectives towards this future of the picture you have. One definition of self-leadership comes from Andrew Bryant and he says, “It is the practice of intentionally influencing your thinking, feeling and behaviours to achieve your objectives.”

Intentional influence. Thinking, feeling and behaviours. These are the elements of self-leading. Self-leading is not independence; self-leading is not acting at the expense of others. Self-leading is beginning with you!

#2: Go Public

When you declare your intentions, others know. When you declare your intentions others know if you have achieved it or not. Going public creates the external source of pressure and accountability that you need to continue in your efforts to accomplish, create, and complete. When others know, and you know, they know there is a healthy pressure that exists for you to get the job done.

Tell the right people. Invite them to be on your team. Ask them to champion your dream and to remind you it’s worth it. Borrow the wisdom and experience of others. Above all, go public. Make sure others know you intend to accomplish this. The pressure this one act invites might well be enough to help you see it through.

#3: Activity will serve clarity

When we discussed what it meant to determine your destination the very last point was ‘Start Now’. Similarly this step will serve you by making what you are doing clearer as you do it. Wait not for the ‘best time’ to start. When the idea is hot and the emotions are strong (Thank you Jim Rohn), it is time to get moving on your best year (and decade) ever.

It’s the old ‘driving down the road at night’ principle. Your car only shows you several metres ahead yet if you’re anything like me you never slow down. The lit road ahead creates enough confidence to keep moving forward. The actions you take towards your preferred future will begin to do just that for you, create the confidence to keep moving. And keep moving you will!

#4: Your words create your world

Words are powerful. Words are creative. Words are liberating. Words are doorways that open and close opportunities. Words are the volume button of your beliefs. The language you use to describe your preferred future is of vital importance. The possibility that you give yourself. The potential that you invite yourself to realise and the steps you take to get there are all influenced by the words you speak.

In my faith, world words have creative power. Words can build up or tear down. Words can give life or ‘death’. Words are incredibly important in the creation of, and continuation of the dreams in your heart. At this point a speech audit is in order. What are you REALLY saying when you speak? Are you positioning yourself to continue to speak life into your next year? What changes can you make to ensure that what you believe lines up with what you say, and what you say empowers your daily behaviour as you pursue your best year ever.

#5: Keep moving

Dory says, “Just keep swimming.” Dory is right. The navy seals, so I am told, have a 70% rule. When you have 70% of the information make the decision you believe to be best and keep moving. There is never a perfect day, a perfect time, perfect conditions for you to wake up, get up, stand up and make the most of the next year (and decade.) The perfect time is now. Life has ups and downs, curve balls and straight balls. That IS life. Rain doesn’t stop the house being built. Keep moving, learn the lessons. Find the mentors, accumulate the resources. Seek the feedback, develop humility and in all of that KEEP MOVING.

Consistency, credibility, and momentum are served by taking the next best step. Be clear on where you want to end up, and courageous to take your next best step. Even if it’s one, you’re closer than you’ve ever been.

Personal responsibility is the doorway to your preferred future. Deciding that you and you alone will be accountable and empowered for the results you want makes you the designer of your best year ever. It means you can take the benefits and the challenges in with the same mindset.

Question:

How have you learned to take personal responsibility? I’d love you to share your thoughts.