October 23

Taking Personal Responsibility

Taking Personal Responsibility

By Deborah Johnson

October 23, 2017

expectations, Fear, healthy habits, imposter, leadership, mindsets, personal development

Taking Personal Responsibility

Courts are filled with those who are not taking personal responsibility. If I started naming a few, this may be a rather long article. Of course, there are those truly innocent, but many are guilty and go to great lengths to escape impending consequences and punishment.

It costs money to defend and justify a position of so-called innocence. This doesn’t just happen in a court of law. It happens in many businesses. We’ve watched many leaders of businesses take a fall, whether or not they were guilty of any wrongdoing.

A True Leader Takes Responsibility

A true leader is able to take responsibility, regardless of consequences.This doesn’t mean admitting wrongdoing they are not guilty of. However, putting blame on others when part of the problem is traced back to top-down leadership creates divisiveness and discord. To carry it further, the blame game could possibly become part of company culture if not discontinued.

Most everyone wants to be right. But in order for someone to be right, there’s usually a wrong involved. Many times, the consequences of living with great guilt, shame and anxiety are greater than admission of fault, especially for an ethical situation. If you are facing any of those consequences, it’s not too late to take personal responsibility.

Trust and Ethics

Trust and ethics are a huge issue in our society today. Political campaigns slam each other on the issue of promises and trust. How often have you heard a candidate really apologize for unfulfilled promises or wrongdoing? I would suppose never or at least not often! There is usually a search for a scapegoat, whether it is the opposing candidate, party or a person.

Even though some make leaders out to be dictators with varied symbols, caricatures and phrases, most leaders have a target on their back as they sometimes have to make tough decisions. To be a true leader is to understand mistakes and learn from them, taking responsibility. It is also important to know what your team or those around you are doing. There is truly a time for blaming others when others are to blame.

Why is this? The attitude of being a martyr or victim is extremely self-focused and seems to be quite prevalent in our society. When you look to help others grow, taking responsibility for your own actions, you will find their growth will inspire future growth. Whether a leader of another organization or your own, growth and momentum is what I wish for you!

7 Steps to Taking Responsibility

1) Define the ISSUE. Be specific here. What is on the surface may go deeper-like jealousy or envy. 
2) Define what you are FEELING. It could be fear, revenge, embarrassment or even lack of confidence. There has to be some emotional trigger. 
3) Focus on at least one POSITIVE OUTCOME in facing the issue responsibly. 
4) Make an APPOINTMENT for confronting the issue–with yourself or the other party involved. 
5) Define WHAT YOU WILL COVER in your appointment. 
6) Decide on your FOLLOW THROUGH with your actions or the actions of others, then DO IT! 
7) Resist being a MARTYR, VICTIM or portraying an attitude of DEFENSIVENESS. It will take the focus off the issue with a greater chance of destructive behavior.

Re-Evaluation and Re-Invention

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Cables of Success-Hero Mountain
Hero Mountain™-7 cables of success!

I create current video and freshen up promotional materials often. It takes work, resources and energy. However, I know the market changes every two to three years. Re-evaluating where you are and where you want to go has never been more important! I do this for myself as well as others. It’s extremely rewarding! HERO MOUNTAIN™ WEEKEND for women at halftime will be scheduled for early 2018 and is an intense, yet fun time of re-evaluation, re-invention and creating momentum! I am all about creating great experiences that help others learn and grow! Stay tuned!

DEBORAH JOHNSON: Providing tools and inspiration to gain momentum and get unstuck in life. Speaking, Concerts, In-Depth Workshops. Most recent book Bad Code: Overcoming Bad Mental Code That Sabotages Your Life! You can reach Deborah the following ways:Twitter:@DebJohnsonWorks • YouTube ; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborah.johnson; Websites: https://GoalsForYourLife.com; https://DJWorksMusic.com

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Deborah Johnson

About the author

DEBORAH JOHNSON, M.A., creator of Hero Mountain® and former president of Los Angeles National Speakers Association, is an international award-winning music artist, author, speaker and National Media Commentator. She also hosts the popular podcast "Women at Halftime." Deborah provides tools to create your ideal lifestyle and work at mid-career or during the halftime of life, getting unstuck. You can live your second half fulfilled, focused and free! Up for multiple GRAMMY Awards and spending over 20 years in the entertainment industry, she's an expert on how to constantly reinvent yourself in a gig-economy. She is also the recipient of the Women's Economic Forum Exceptional Women of Excellence Award. Deborah is the author of multiple books, over twenty albums and musicals and speaks and performs in both live and virtual events.

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