Top Tips On Responsibility
I Don’t Want To Be Responsible
Do you hate to hear the words “Be Responsible”? Maybe you have grown deaf to hearing it, or maybe you don’t know why people say it to you? Responsibility is one of the perks and disadvantages of being an adult. It’s a perk because others expect and allow you to be responsible for what you do. It can be seen as a disadvantage by some because they are expected to be somewhere on time or to have money remaining before payday arrives! Responsibility may be seen as the price to pay for freedom. If you choose not to take responsibility, life may certainly be less demanding, though maybe not less stressful. When you are not responsible, you can shrug and blame your problems on others, on “them”, on, “I didn’t ask for it”. And the price you pay for that? Lack of personal power and self-esteem, constant feeling of being a “victim”, and nothing interesting and challenging ever comes your way. When you become an adult, you gain the rights and obligations of total responsibility for your own life, if you choose to accept them. If you want rights, you have to accept the obligations that go with them and that includes taking responsibility for your own actions.
Irresponsible
There are several types of behavior that someone might describe as “irresponsible”, such as someone who acts in a way that shows they do not understand or care about the consequences of those actions, or that they are careless of those consequences. They might also be referring to the person’s attitudes, that is, what they say or their opinions, or lack of them. It may be a parent who is irresponsible, putting themselves and their wants first before their children’s best interests or safety. They may also be called “immature”. But just because someone is of mature age, does not necessarily make them into a responsible adult. If you have a child, it is your responsibility to look after them. If you take on a duty or responsibility then you must mean that you will carry it out.
9 Tips On How To Be Seen As Responsible.
Start small.
Prove you can handle the small stuff. I have heard irresponsible people say “I’m not doing THAT, it is beneath me”, or “It won’t get back to the person who thinks I am not responsible”. You need to PROVE you can handle the small stuff before you get entrusted with the bigger stuff. And don’t think that your actions or words, good or bad, won’t get back to someone who is important to you. There is always a little bird around that will mention something. As the song says, “The night has a thousand eyes”. Responsibility has to be earned, it’s not an entitlement that comes with age. No one is going to put you in charge of something important if they don’t know whether you can even handle the less important stuff.
Wash Your Own Bowl
It literally means that you wash your own dish after a meal. It also means to pick up after yourself. If you make a mess, a responsible person clears it up, not waiting for someone else to do the job for them. This includes such small and what might appear to be menial or trivial items, like closing the gate behind you, picking up your dirty clothes and putting them in the wash basket or putting the top back on the toothpaste. These things may seem very small but each of these actions or non-actions says something about you and your level of responsibility.
No More Excuses And Stop Blaming Others
People who are not responsible shift the blame to other factors or other people, when they cannot complete or carry out something – on the lines of “The dog ate my homework”, or “I would have done, it, honest, but…”. Those excuses all shout out loudly “I am not a responsible person”.
Stop Whining
A complaint is a sign that something needs to be done by the PERSON DOING THE COMPLAINING. Even if your complaint is “HE needs to do something” or “SHE needs to change”. You cannot force anyone to change. You can only change yourself. If you are only ever complaining about others, it’s like finger pointing – one finger points at the other person and three fingers back at you. Think about it. Try saying something positive about the person or situation instead: it is amazing how this can change your own mood and perceptions.
Don’t Be A Victim
The world may be hard but isn’t out to “get you”. Usually, you will find that no one is is trying to make you look bad, except you, yourself. You didn’t get a speeding ticket because “they” were out to get you but because you exceeded the speed limit. “Everyone does it” is NOT an excuse.
Be Reliable
Being reliable, means you do what you say you will do, be there on time, pick the item up. And don’t over commit yourself.
Be Grateful.
Cultivate what is called “the attitude of gratitude”. Say thank you when someone does something for you. Starting and continuing a gratitude journal or keeping a gratitude jar can be extremely helpful and therapeutic.
Punctuality
Punctuality is one sign of a responsible, reliable person. It shows you do not want to waste someone else’s time and that you think of others. That also means not waiting til the last minute if you need to change plans to meet someone. Let them know as soon as possible.
Listen.
We have two ears and one mouth, as the saying goes, so listen twice as much as you speak. Listening helps you understand things. You may be very surprised at how much influencing you can do just by listening and helping the other person express themselves.
These may all be very small items but choosing one and continuing to do it, helps to develop and show your level of responsibility. As you get better, take on more of these items and soon you will be seen as a responsible person.
Learning how to declutter your home and pare down your possessions is important if you want to avoid becoming overwhelmed. However, this task can seem impossible. Where can you begin? The mere thought of sorting through everything that you own and deciding what to keep can make you feel defeated before you ever get started.