There is a secret grounded in the great minds and in the wisdom traditions from around the world.
I learned it in my 20's, when I was floundering in disappointment, discouragement, and depression.
The secret is grounded in a couple of laws.
First, the Law of Cause and Effect.
We reap what we sow. If we choose negative attitudes, complaining, bitterness, resentment, we will sow negativity, unhappiness and depression.
If we choose laziness, lack of self-control, and blame, we will reap debt, health problems, and ruined relationships.
Second, is the Law of Correspondence.
Most of what we in our outer world is a reflection of our inner world.
Now don't take this to the extreme. There are many things that are beyond our control For example, people living in oppressive regimes, or in poverty, or in starvation are not always in control of those things.
I'm talking to those of us, myself included, who have many things going well in our lives.
Yet, we sometimes feel like victims. Our parents, our government, our boss, our jobs are all at fault. And we've gotten the raw end of the deal.
Is it any surprise, then, that our outer word reflects our 'raw deal'?
"Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will - his personal responsibility." - Albert Einstein
Personal Development Strategies: How To Take Responsibility For Your Actions
- Absorb the Truth. Take some time to sit with the facts. A huge percentage of the results in your life come from your own personal thoughts, decisions and habits! The sooner you accept the fact that YOU are responsible for your current life, the better off you will be.
Start Small. Pick just one specific area in your life that you want to see better results in. Is it a relationship? Is it your finances? Is it your home?
Write Down How You Have Contributed To The Problem. What kind of thoughts are you thinking that set you up for failure? What kinds of negative attitudes are you choosing that hold you back or get in the way? What specific behaviors are you choosing that are getting you in trouble?
Write Down What You Have Gained From Your Thinking, Attitudes, and Actions (For example, when I have gotten into debt: I was able to spend money on what made me feel good in the moment, I was able to ignore the hard work of facing my finances and taking corrective action, I did not have to feel embarrassed by admitting my problems to someone)
Write Down What You Want Instead of the Problem What Solution would you like in place of the problem? Use your imagination Write down an ideal solution that represents the opposite of your current problem. For example, "I have all my debts paid off, and I am contributing fully to my retirement funds. I feel happy and relaxed about my net worth, and I am giving generously to worthy causes and experiencing joy in being able to spend my money wisely."
Choose New Thoughts, Attitudes, and Behaviors. Go back to Suggestion #3. For every thought, attitude, and action, write a new set of thoughts, attitudes, and actions. These are the thoughts, attitudes, and actions you will be choosing on a daily basis in order to get you closer to the Solution you just wrote down. Choose just one positive thought, attitude, and action, and put that into practice over the next 30 days.
Get Accountable! Choose a close friend, or go to an online community, to find people who will hold you accountable to become the person you need to become in order to produce better results in your life. I personally have my own informal coaches I talk to almost daily. They're not afraid to ask me tough questions, because they care about me and the quality of my life.
Get Grateful! I encourage you to make a list of the benefits and blessings you are receiving each day as you choose constructive patterns of thinking, attitudes, and behaviors. As you do this, you will put yourself in a place to create positive results in your life.
I'm so excited you came across the same Secret I discovered years ago. Writing this article has reminded me to look in the mirror, admit my shortcomings, put my own personal development plan into place in a couple specific areas, and be grateful for the blessings I receive as I choose new attitudes, thoughts, and actions. How about you? I hope you will act now to create a better life for yourself!
This article is an Ezine article I recently published. You can read all of my articles here.