BLOG_2020_01_23 How Well Do You Take Responsibility For Yourself?
Quiz: How Well Do You Take Responsibility For Yourself?
23 JANUARY 2020
How many of you remember Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In in the late 60’s and early 70’s (I know, I’m dating myself!)? I remember it well especially as it was the one show my family would watch together every week.
In the show, comedian Flip Wilson created and played a character named Geraldine, who excused her outrageous behavior by claiming “the devil made me do it.” My father and I would often be heard jokingly mimicking this line whenever we were up to no good.
Poor Geraldine, she pretended to be helpless and ineffective because she wouldn’t take responsibility for herself. In his book, "Grow Up! How Taking Responsibility Can Make You A Happy Adult", Dr. Frank Pittman wrote, “Finding the responsible thing to do is the lifelong quest for grown-ups.” While this may sound like the death knoll for the adult who is a “kid at heart”, it is important to take responsibility for our decisions and the choices we make. Our lives and those we love are simply easier when we do, particularly when we learn from our mistakes.
How well do you take responsibility for yourself?
Take the following quiz to find out how well you take responsibility for yourself. You won’t be scored at the end, but answer true or false to the following questions, and elaborate a bit on those that feel especially relevant.
T / F 1. I believe my actions are the primary force in how I live my life, and I am solely responsible for my actions.
T / F 2. When other people, events or circumstances affect my life, I am responsible for my reactions.
T / F 3. I take responsibility for my body and for my physical well-being. I eat healthfully, exercise regularly and maintain good hygiene.
T / F 4. I may not always be able to select co-workers or team members, but I am responsible for the companions I choose and the company I keep.
T / F 5. What I say and how I say it is my responsibility. So is listening well.
T / F 6. I am responsible for my own emotions. Someone else doesn’t “make” me feel a certain way.
T / F 7. My behavior with others is up to me—I’m responsible whether I “go along” with the crowd or remain passive in the face of actions or behaviors I don’t agree with.
T / F 8. My personal happiness is my own responsibility. It’s no one else’s job to make me happy or to give me what I need or want to be happy.
T / F 9. Everything in life is a choice, and I take responsibility for mine—both the good and the not so good. I also take responsibility for how I handle the results of my choices.
T / F 10. I accept responsibility for doing the right thing even though it may not always be the easiest path.
T / F 11. I am responsible for choosing the values by which I live.
T / F 12. How I spend my time is up to me. Even though I may be required to work a certain number of hours or to be present at a specified time and place, the quality of my time is my responsibility.
T / F 13. I am responsible for how I use the earth’s resources and realize my decisions have implications that reach beyond the personal to the global.
T / F 14. I don’t wait for someone else to make my life interesting. It’s my responsibility to engage my curiosity, explore my interests, and follow my passions.
T / F 15. The manner in which I maintain my spiritual well-being is my responsibility.
T / F 16. Self-responsibility includes seeking solutions when I have problems and asking for help when I need it.
Although self-responsibility may not always be easy, the results are empowering and life-affirming.
If you have any questions or if you’d like to talk about your responses to this quiz, don’t hesitate to contact me.
