Taking Responsibility

President Barack Obama in his inaugural address said "What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, ... that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world...."

Many people and organisations are talking about taking appropriate responsibility - particularly in light of the current number of corporate collapses. We are asking how did this happen, and who is responsible - the Government, the CEO, the Board of Directors? The list is long ...



It seems to me that many of us believe that we are taking responsibility, but we are kidding ourselves. We go through the motions of taking responsibility, but don't follow through.

For example, many of us know the consequences of over indulgence - but we continue to over indulge. We don't follow the exercise programs we know help to maintain our health, and live lifestyles that are potentially more damaging than supportive. If we seek medical attention when we are sick, but do not take the medicine as prescribed, or complete the exercise program, are we truly taking responsibility?

Our reasons for not taking full responsibility are varied:

• The task might seem too hard,
• We might lack the necessary resources,
• We might have other responsibilities,
• We might be distracted, or
• We might just want a break.

I believe that one of the differences between elite performers - whether they are athletes, business people or world leaders is their ability to take appropriate responsibility - they own their roles in life and do not shirk away from them. They do not fill their time with other peoples' responsibilities - they know how to delegate, and how to stay true. They focus on the big picture and remember that the details are important to achieve success.

This ability to accept full and appropriate responsibility is a true gift. If it doesn't come naturally to you it can be learned.

In Summary:
Next time you find yourself avoiding completing a task, ask:
Who is responsible? Do it or Delegate.
When is it due? Acknowledge and Agree.
What is required? Source and Resource.
How will you know when it is completed appropriately? Refine, Report and Record.

Remember to consider the appropriateness of every step.

PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait... wait... Rank: wait... Traffic: wait... Price: wait... C: wait...

Fresh Start for the New Year

Do you make New Year's resolutions? How long do they last?

New Year's resolutions are a great way of cementing our ideals and goals. But we can be open to disappointment by demanding and expecting too much of ourselves and others on the basis of our resolutions.

Wishes are just that - an expression of hope. Nothing wrong with that - but hopes are not plans, and will not necessarily be realised.

What if we changed our intentions? Instead of making resolutions set in concrete that become too hard to keep once reality sets in and our busy lives help us to lose our focus, what if we could actually hold our space and live our plans?

Choose one or two things that you did last year that you would like do differently this year. It could be anything that inspires or challenges you, such as developing healthier lifestyles or strengthening your commitment to live with integrity and focus in your relationships and work.

Now acknowledge what it is you DO that you KNOW undermine your dreams. How could you do this differently? Would you want to? Could you achieve this yourself? Do you need the skills or assistance of others? And do you know the people you need to help you at this stage?

Finding the REAL answers to these questions will help you to create the environment for REAL change to occur, regardless of the details of your resolutions.

So - good luck with upholding YOUR plans!!!!

Make 2008 the year you learn to Keep your intention strong!

What do your secrets stop you from doing?

We all have secrets.

Sometimes they stop us wanting to stand out, to follow our dreams or to form deep, close relationships with others because we are scared that they might find out about our deepest, darkest secrets.

What would happen if we let go of the fear of someone finding our secrets out? In this age of the Internet, of surveillance and scrutiny, it is likely that if someone wanted to, they would find out our secrets anyway. And we all have a past.

So, if you let go of the fear of being found out, what would you be able to achieve? If you could own all of your experience as gifts that have shaped you into who you are, would you reach out and grab your full potential?

Finding calm in turmoil is a gift.

It's never too late.....

There was some inspiring news last week.

An Australian great-great-grandmother, Phyllis Turner aged 94 graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Masters Degree in Medical Science. This is remarkable enough, but she left school at 12 years of age, when she had help her mother raise her siblings. She completed her high school education (going to night school) after raising her own seven children and two stepchildren. She then started her university studies at the University of Adelaide when she was 70 years old and two years later won a 12-month scholarship to study at the University of California. On her return from California she enrolled at the Australian National University and gained a degree in anthropology. She decided to enroll in her Master's degree five years ago, after her husband died.

Read more about this remarkable woman:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/887/story/124935.html

Another inspiring story about pursuing your dreams no matter how long it takes is rather surprising...

Most people think that rock stars are more likely to spend their time living the high life. We don't tend to believe that they are overly intelligent (many of course are) or necessarily sensible. Brian May, guitarist with the rock band Queen, was due to submit his doctorate thesis in astrophysics last week, after enrolling in the course some 34 years ago. His thesis is on zodiacal dust clouds (the dust clouds in our solar system) and he left his studies all those years ago when Queen was making it HUGE on the international rock scene. He received an honorary doctorate from Exeter University in Devon, England earlier this year, and co-authored a book on astrophysics called "Bang! The Complete History of the Universe" with Patrick Moore and Chris Linttot published last year. He never lost his love for, or interest in astrophysics and followed discoveries while continuing with his musical career. He is still active in both diverse fields.

For more information about Brian May, try these links:

http://www.brianmay.com/brian/briannews/briannewsoct06a.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN2536780120070726

Just goes to show - if you want something badly enough, you will achieve it sooner or later, and there is more than one way to get what you want.

Maybe we just give up too soon..