Responsibility.
It’s about time we all took a little more of it.
And by a little. I actually mean a lot.
So much that it’s about time we recognise we’re responsible for everything.
Yep. Everything.
This post is coming after I read about responsibility a couple week’s ago in the very humorous and well-written book, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck” by Mark Manson. I’d highly recommend it. I’ve almost finished it in less than a month since getting it so it must be good. I’m awful at starting and completing books. Anyway, I digress.
Ever since reading about it, my perception on a lot of things have changed. Why? Because I’ve started to actually take responsibility for shit. Does it mean I’m “adulting”? Probably not. What does that even mean? I still like to slide down staircases.
Fault and responsibility are different
Taking responsibility doesn’t equate to everything being your fault. There is a clear distinction here between fault and responsibility.
It might be someone else’s fault that you were in a car crash (debatable depending on your driving skills) but it’s your responsibility as to how you react and take action.
Do you:
A) Swear at the other driver until smoke comes out of your ears and edge your way into a physical fight
B) Recognise for a second that it may have been a genuine accident (I doubt many people do it on purpose) and take responsibility for how you react
There’s obviously plenty more ways to deal with a car crash.
But it’s your responsibility as to how you react.
Take responsibility for your nutrition and fitness
If we relate this back to nutrition and fitness, I think this is where I find it most interesting.
A lot of people put the blame onto others or create excuses as to why they can’t change. They point the finger away from themselves when they are not getting the progress they want in their health, weight loss, fitness etc. goals.
Why?
Well, probably because it’s easier to put the responsibility onto something or someone else than take it for themselves.
It’s not easy to take responsibility. Think it’s easy to admit that you’ve neglected your nutrition for the last 15 years and now you’ve got some health-related issues?
Or that it’s easy to admit you’ve neglected to do any sort of regular fitness for the last 7 years and now it’s a struggle to just keep up with your kids?
Nah. It’s not.
If you did take responsibility, you might feel a little guilt or shame. You might be a little less happy or content. So it’s easier to shy away from claiming responsibility.
But if you don’t claim responsibility, who is? Your partner? Your sister? Your dog?
Let’s face it, they are too busy with their own lives to take on the responsibility of your actions too. And why should they?
We should all start to take a little more responsibility for the way we interpret situations, our actions and behaviours. Even if that means admitting to things that you’re not necessarily the proudest of.
When we start to take responsibility for everything we do, we can actually take control of what’s been holding us back.
Struggled with losing weight in the past and never really taken responsibility for your eating habits? Well, start to take responsibility for the number of times you eat cake and go for seconds/thirds.
Struggled with running for the bus in the morning and never really taken responsibility for your fitness? Well, start to take responsibility by setting some time during the week to exercise. Even for just 20 minutes, 3 days a week. It’s probably better than where you are currently if you are continuously blaming others for your lack of fitness.
It will be uncomfortable to take responsibility
I’m not saying it’s easy. Hell no. Taking responsibility and realising you’re fully in control is, in actual fact, a little scary at times.
There are dozens of things I’d rather not be responsible for. But by taking responsibility for everything, you begin to appreciate that you can actually achieve what you want.
You can achieve your weight loss goals that you’ve held onto for so long but never succeeded in.
You can create that side business that you have dreamt of, baking cakes, cupcakes and all sorts of deliciousness! (If you're local to East London, check out Bakes By Maria for some amazing cakes)
You can run that marathon that you’ve always thought about doing.
Take responsibility for your actions and you no longer play the victim card. The card that gets you nowhere.
The only place it gets you is further into the delusion that where you currently are, is where you’ll always be and you’ll never be able to succeed. And let’s face it. Who really wants to be there? No thanks.
So next time something you perceive as negative happens to you, realise it’s your responsibility as to how you react.
Next time something you perceive is positive happens to you, again, it’s your responsibility as to how you react.
I’ve made it pretty clear as to what your action from reading this is.
Take responsibility.
If you want to start taking some responsibility for your fitness & health, you can grab a free copy of the Eat. Lift. Lose. Weight Loss guide that provides simplified ways to lose weight and doesn't involve spending hours in the gym every night.