Many times, especially when faced with difficult circumstances, we tend to blame others. We don’t take time to consider what our contributions may have been towards the situation or what we could do ourselves to change it. Blaming others is often an easier way out. In most cases though, it never makes the situation any better. Instead, it increases our stress levels and leaves us feeling bad about ourselves and the lack of support from others.
Taking responsibility for one’s life and actions can be difficult but it’s very important if we are to live a contented life without the feeling that someone owes us. Self-empowerment teaches us to be disciplined, independent and responsible. It starts from the point of being aware and developing a commitment to ourselves – to push through life regardless of the obstacles we encounter and knowing that only we can make ourselves fail or succeed.
Here are three ideas on how we can teach ourselves to take greater responsibility for our own life regardless of the good or bad life serves us.
- Develop a Sense of Self-Worth: For you to succeed you must set standards for yourself. Don’t settle for less than what you deserve.
“No matter the economy of the jungle, a lion can never eat grass. It’s not pride. It’s just who it is.” #LionMentality
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- Depart From Overdependence on Others: Move away from the dependency on others (government, parents, extended family, colleagues and friends) for your failures and successes. Take full responsibility for yourself in all things and always. Be ready and willing to learn. Remember you are in charge of your destiny.
- Set Goals and Plan Your Life: Know what you want to achieve in life, draw up a plan and work towards it no matter the circumstances. Be enterprising and create wealth HONESTLY. Seek to become independent by realizing you live a life of your own.
Doing these things will go a long way to enhancing self-empowerment which greatly increases our chances of success in life. In the words of Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Scout Movement,
Being responsible for oneself creates in us a culture of life-long learning and open-mindedness that breeds self-accountability. It also builds leadership, self-confidence, inculcates discipline and sense of purpose in life. Only by becoming more responsible for ourselves can we also be responsible for others at home, at work and in society.
“that which a child learns by themselves will stick with them much longer than that which is imposed upon them through instruction by the leader”.
Lord Robert Baden Powell, Founder of the Scout Movement
Being responsible for oneself creates in us a culture of life-long learning and open-mindedness that breeds self-accountability. It also builds leadership, self-confidence, inculcates discipline and sense of purpose in life. Only by becoming more responsible for ourselves can we also be responsible for others at home, at work and in society.
—
Nelson Opany is a Communicator, Leader, Humanitarian, and a Scout. (nelochop@gmail.com)
Tabbie Ndirangu
21/01/2023Amazing.
Very insightful.I read it with my son.
Nelson
21/01/2023Thank you very much for your feedback. Glad that the young man has a parent like you who is keen on seeing him grow into a responsible man. All the best to you and him
Charity M
28/01/2023Awesome read!
Nelson
30/01/2023Thank you!
Felix Shilima
21/01/2023A great read full of life skilks Captain. Cheers!
Nelson
21/01/2023Thank you for the feedback, Felix.
Ann
22/01/2023Great article. Thanks for sharing
Nelson
28/01/2023Thank you Ann, glad you like it