Ownership

You are the reason for your own success and failures.

Here’s a harsh truth:

You are the reason for your own success and failures.

One day, you run into two old friends from high school.

It's been over 15 years, and you decide to catch up on Saturday.

Saturday comes, and you meet them at your favorite restaurant.

You ask how they're doing.

Friend one, let's call him Dave, is struggling.

He's in a tough spot in life.

Dave is not making enough money, he can't hold a job. He recently finished an ugly divorce, and he can't see his kids. To top it off, he's getting evicted.

As a friend, you're concerned and ask what happened.

He goes off on how the government is taking his money, how horrible his ex was, and why his landlord is unsympathetic and can't let him stay for free.

Right as you think he's finished, he blames his parents for the way his life turned out and insults you and the other friend for not staying in touch.

As the night continues, the entire conversation is him blaming others for his suffering.

But friend two, we'll call him Rob, is doing well.

He's getting married, has a great job, and despite some rough patches in the last few years, he chose to get some help.

His headspace is healthier; he's positive, optimistic, and sincere.

Two different people, with two different outcomes in life.

It comes down to one thing: their ability to take ownership of where they are in life.

Blaming others makes you give up the power you have over yourself. Then you feel powerless to make a change.

But if you look in the mirror and are honest with yourself, internalizing the fact that you got yourself to this point in life with your actions, decisions, and mindset, in that moment, you have a decision to make.

Decision one: keep living in the same misery.
Decision two: make a positive change and start taking action.

Change starts when you stop blaming others and take ownership of your life.

You will never improve your life until you take full responsibility and ownership of what happened in the past, present, and will happen in the future.