Gaping Void is one of my favorite sites, as it has amazing art that tells a story.
Every couple of days, they send out a new piece of art to their email list. So not only are they forward-thinking artists, but they are solid marketers, allowing users to post their images on social media, as well as purchasing the art in various sizes, suitable for framing. The story of today’s piece of art is that success seems like child’s play. This plays right into my new blog series. The series is based on the 25 Principles of Success by Jack Canfield.
The first trait of the fearless entrepreneur is taking full responsibility for the results you achieve. How did this principal play its part in my own success? I’m glad you asked.
✔︎ For me, asking about taking responsibility for results is a little like asking about breathing. We can’t exist without taking in oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide.
✔︎ Likewise, as an entrepreneur, our actions produce results and those actions include leading others toward a goal. It is how we stay alive as an entrepreneur.
✔︎ If we tried to reverse the breathing process, taking in carbon dioxide and getting rid of oxygen, we would die.
✔︎ Likewise, if we are not effectively leading others toward our goal and seeing the link between those actions and results, our businesses will die.
As we start the new year, take stock of where you are on the responsibility scale.
Stephen Covey in one of his many articles explained, “Look at the word.. response – ability, – the ability to respond. Highly motivated people recognize that responsibility. They do not blame circumstances, or conditions for their behaviors. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice, based on their values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feeling”
Leadership, like Privilege, is not a right, but with it comes responsibility and I believe that Responsibility accrues through privilege.
“Taking responsibility is a commitment to own your life, to self-leadership, growth, and freedom.” Christopher Avery
Love that Jonathan. One of the most important lessons that we have taught our 18 year old son is that being a victim is the worst possible choice you can make. He and my husband went through a program when he was in middle school called “raising a modern day knight” and the one thing that stuck from that was “reject passivity”. Taking responsibility is NOT passive!
Absolutely Chicke. and I woudl like to add that Responsibility is also a blessing. Responsibility leads to emotional competency and autonomy. When we stop to analyze, we will realize that Responsibility actually leads to freedom and that also means that we have to make the decisions. Making decisions and fulfilling our duties can always result in the possibility of making a mistake. As a responsible person we know that we have to take the good with the bad. There is no forward-momentum without decision-making. A responsible person is resilient and bounces back from missteps because without mistakes there is no wisdom. Without wisdom there is no competency. Without trial and error there is no courage or integrity.
Viktor Frankl, “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
Chicke, I know I am going to enjoy your new series and this first one about Responsibility certainly brings back many a memory. Over that last 5 decades, I have come to understand that the two most boring words in the English language are Discipline and Responsibility. We have all heard it so many times from all kinds of people preachers, teachers, Gurus, motivational/inspirational speakers etc., that we almost begin to develop a kind of allergy to it
Nevertheless, it is one of the most important things needed to grow and to feel good about our lives. Without it as a foundation nothing else would really have any significance.
So glad to have your feedback Jonathan. The words may be boring but the results aren’t!
The most effective way to assure nothing gets done, is make assignments but offer no expectations, due dates, or benchmarks. In other words, hold nobody accountable and make nobody responsible.
I’ve been living in bootstrap mode for so long, working with an all volunteer army, so I long for the day when I can have someone to delegate to Jane!! I yearn to have expectations, to establish due dates and benchmarks. Right now I do a lot of holding myself accountable and of course being totally willing to be responsible for the outcome. It is the life of the CEO of a startup!
Chicke my example is from personal experience of being hired by four different organizations that basically said do what you want when you want and bill me (for paid positions) after you do it. I am usually a go-getter once I have the vision and been through a few projects, but that type of totally hands off leadership just doesn’t work for me.
I’m a follower, not a leader. I’m the best helper you will meet, but I need a target and a measuring device.
Totally agree with your experience Jane. While I’m a leader, not a follower, when I was consulting, the only clients that I “resigned” were those that didn’t have a plan and wouldn’t follow one, even if I produced it!
Totally riding that wave with you, Chicke. No plan. No need.