Personal Responsibility vs Self Blame

Self blame and personal responsibility are two different things, but are often confused for one another. Self blame can be a harmful habit, while personal responsibility is a key ingredient to success. When you take responsibility for your own life, you can start making changes to improve yourself as a leader (and simply as a human). Conversely, when you blame others (or yourself) for your problems, nothing ever changes.

What is Self Blame

Self blame is the belief that you are responsible for everything bad that happens, even if it was not your fault. This can be a harmful habit, as it can keep you from taking responsibility for your own life and making changes to improve yourself.

Self Blame is Destructive

When you're always blaming yourself, you never have the chance to improve and become a better person. Self blame can actually lead to depression and other mental health issues. When you tell yourself that you are terrible, you make yourself believe you are terrible rather than asking yourself how you can improve and taking actions to move forward.

What is Personal Responsibility

Personal responsibility is the belief that an individual is accountable for their own thoughts, feelings, and actions. It encompasses the idea that one is responsible for their own life and choices, and this belief can lead to a more empowered and successful life. Personal responsibility requires that an individual take ownership of their life and their choices, and this in turn allows them to grow and change.

Personal Responsibility is Creative

When you take personal responsibility for your life, you are creating the life you want by intention. This means that you are in control of your own destiny, and you have the power to create the life you desire. Personal responsibility requires that you take ownership of your life and your circumstances. When you accept this, you can start making changes to improve yourself as a leader (and simply as a human). You become accountable for your own happiness and well-being. You learn from your mistakes instead of repeating them.

Personal Responsibility vs Control

Personal responsibility is not about taking control of every situation in your life. It is about owning your own thoughts, feelings, and actions. Personal responsibility requires that an individual take ownership of their life and their choices. This does not mean that they are trying to take control of every situation in their life. Rather, it means that they are accepting responsibility for their own actions and decisions. This allows them to grow and change in positive ways.

Personal Responsibility: The Ripple Effect

The more personal responsibility you take, the more personal responsibility you teach. When you take responsibility for your own life and choices, you set a positive example for those around you. When you take responsibility for yourself, the people around you will start to take responsibility for themselves. You end up creating a ripple effect.

How to Shift from Self Blame to Personal Responsibility:

1) Recognize: Acknowledge that self blame is a harmful habit that keeps you from taking responsibility for your own life.

2) Stop: Stop yourself when you realize that you are getting into blame.

3) Change the Perspective: Instead of talking negative and focusing on what went wrong, focus on what went right.

4) Ask a Different Question: Instead of asking "What went wrong?" ask yourself "What can I do to create a better outcome in the future?"

Pro Tip:

If you wouldn't say it to a friend, don't say it to yourself. Treat yourself the way you would treat your best friend. 💗

Conclusion:

Self blame is a harmful habit that keeps you from taking responsibility for your own life. It can lead to depression and other mental health issues. Personal responsibility is the belief that an individual is accountable for their own thoughts, feelings, and actions. When you take personal responsibility for your life, you create the life you want by intention.

The more personal responsibility you take, the more personal responsibility you teach. This ripple effect can have positive consequences for everyone involved. How to shift from self blame to personal responsibility? Recognize the problem, stop yourself when you realize that you are getting into blame mode, change perspective by focusing on what went right rather than wrong, and ask yourself a different question.

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The self leadership principles are meant to support the “how to” of being a leader - by taking a human centric, self focused approach to who you have to BECOME to excel as a leader.

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