You’ve probably heard the quote “with great power comes great responsibility”, and it’s a good one.
But when you flip it around, it becomes even more powerful.
“With great responsibility comes great power”
One of the biggest predictors of success is an internal locus of control. Meaning they believe that they have significant control over their lives.
But I’ve always wrestled with the idea that you’re always in control.
After all, bad things do happen. Unlucky things happen. Some people are born into bad circumstances. People get sick. People get robbed. People have family issues. People get into car accidents… sometimes through no fault of their own.
With all of these bad things, how can you possibly say everything is your fault if bad things happen to you?
And then it hit me.
It’s not about fault. It’s about responsibility.
Is it your fault that the neighbor’s dog pooped on your porch?
Is it your fault that a tree branch fell on your windshield?
Is it your fault that your car broke down on the way to work?
Is it your fault that someone in your family got sick?
Is it your fault that you weren’t born with the same resources as some people?
Probably not. But it sure is your responsibility!
It’s up to you and you alone to figure out how best to deal with the circumstances of your life.
Sitting on the side of the road crying is a choice. Being pissed off all day is a choice. Calling a mechanic and making the best of the rest of your day is also a choice.
People get so caught up in figuring out whether the cards they’ve been dealt are fair or who’s fault it is that they wind up making awful choices when responding to those “unlucky” situations.
Look, it sucks, but it’s just the way it is. Life isn’t always going to be fair.
But there’s great news here if you think about it. Yes, you’re responsible for everything, but now you know what to focus on. Focus only one what you can control. Period. If you do that, your life is bound to be pretty awesome regardless of circumstance.
When professional poker players are dealt a hand, there’s some luck involved with what cards they get. Yet, top players win pretty consistently… why is that?
It’s because the choices they make with those cards are so good that they can often overcome a bad hand. In fact, many enjoy getting a bad hand just to see how well they can do with it.
So remember, even though it is completely within your right to be ticked off when things go wrong, especially if someone else is to blame… don’t let that fault get in the way of your responsibility to deal with the situation in a way that makes your life as good as it can be.
You should always focus on what you can control. Anything else is a complete waste of time.
You can’t always control what happens in your life. You can’t always control other people or your circumstances.
But you can ALWAYS control how you respond.
If you keep that in mind, you’ll be running your life like a poker champion, winning hands left and right no matter who shits on your porch.
Yes, with great responsibility comes great power… use it wisely!
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Keep in mind that if you ever find yourself saying “I already know this”, instead ask “What can I learn from this?” and make sure you’re actually applying it in your daily life.
By adopting the right mindsets, you build the foundation for a better life.
Until next time… Do. Learn. Repeat.