Maximizing Performance Through Applied Common Sense*

Responsibility is all about owning whatever decisions you have made.  When you are a fully functioning grown-up, you take responsibility for your behavior, your actions, your decisions and your initiatives.  So, responsibility really is learning to be a fully functioning adult.  If you say you are going to do something, do it!  If you say you are going to follow through, follow through!  If something is broken on your watch, take ownership for it!  Follow through, show commitment, and avoid the blaming, the whining, and that somehow thinking that making excuses is going to get you results.  Take more responsibility and others will as well. 

Do you know what drives me nuts?  It’s that so many people in this country somehow feel entitled.  Somehow they have this notion that the world owes them a living; poor me, somebody else is responsible for my problems.  I’m not responsible; somebody owes me money.  You know that whole notion that somehow somebody else ought to be responsible for you?  It drives me crazy and it lowers standards in this country.  So what do we do about this?  Well, if you’re a grown-up, decide that you are responsible for your behavior you’re responsible for your actions, your feelings and for your outcomes.  When you’re more responsible you behave more like a grown-up and moreover, you really are setting a much better example for your kids and for people in the community.  So, take more responsibility for yourself.  Do it now!