What in your opinion is the key to achieving success?
Better yet, how do you define success?
Some of us consider making money to be a great success. Others believe that choosing the right career path for them is the biggest success one can possibly wish for. And then others believe that creating a nice and cozy life for them and their family is a real success in life.
But, no matter what you want from life, I’m a strong believer that self-responsibility is probably the key factor to make your greatest fantasy a reality.
If you ask me, I think there are two types of people. The people who believe that life is a predetermined event, a journey that is already written in the stars. And then there are those who are convinced that life is simply what we make it.
I belong to the second group.
You see, I honestly think that “Life happens while you’re busy making other plans”.
None of that, “dumb luck” stuff.
Because when you think about it, life occurs right now.
In this very second.
And you are more in control of this very second and the outcome of it than you actually think.
You decide whether you’re going to stand up for yourself and defend your rights in front of your boss or remain a silent and obedient work slave. You decide whether you’re going to ask for what you think you deserve or settle for average.
You decide whether you’re going buy that smoothie and eat healthily or go for that burger instead. You decide whether you’ll get up at 5, run 10 km and start your work day fresh, or wake up at 8, and drag your tired ass to work.
The silly belief that our lives are simply passing us by, and there’s nothing we could do to change our fate, is a commonly adopted practice by people who are too afraid to take absolute control of their lives and discover their real potential.
But, it doesn’t have to be this way.
This also depends on our actions.
There are thousands, maybe millions of people in this world who in this very moment, while I am writing this article, are leaving their partners, quitting their jobs with the hope of finding something more fulfilling, choosing to pursue their biggest dreams, fighting for what they deserve and making the essential changes.
And you know why they do it?
Because they strive for better. They don’t believe that fate will choose their path in life. They don’t rely on that theory that everything is predestined in the starts. To them, life is exactly what they make it, and exactly what they choose it to be.
It’s easier to blame the society, be mad at the world, or hate everyone around you for being so miserable. It’s much simpler to stay inside the shell of your own oblivion and expect some higher force in the universe take the lead for you.
But, taking responsibility for yourself… That takes courage.
The ability to choose for ourselves gives us the freedom we so desperately need.
The point is, no one is making you eat that food, keep that unfulfilling job, or stay in a relationship that doesn’t make you flourish.
No one forces you to do anything.
When you realize that you have the power to control almost every aspect of your life, you’ll become invincible. From that moment on, you’ll know that the only person responsible for your mistakes, successes, wrongdoings, regrets, achievements is YOU.
And as scary as that sounds, it is also the most comforting truth I’ve ever heard.
WHATEVER you want in life, you can have it.
Taking responsibility means accepting the fact that you’re the only person who can change your life for the better or worse, and then actually doing that.
If you don’t feel happy in your relationship – end it.
If your job is making you miserable – quit.
If you want to change your diet – do it.
If you are so eager to pursue your dream – Then please, get out of your daunting comfort zone and grab life by the horns!
Self-responsibility is the only key to a happy and successful life.
Dare to get out of your boring routine, for only then you’ll discover what it is that you truly want from life.
And remember… Fortune favors the bold.
