Are You Willing?
“You are 100% responsible for every result you create in your life, both good and bad.” I remember when I first heard that statement, I wanted to punch the person who said it. Because I didn’t want to take responsibility for everything that was coming my way. It seemed unfair, not pertaining to me and just not right.
Over the years, I’ve come to learn that this statement is not only true, but also helpful. Taking 100% responsibility can act as a diagnostic tool to determine why you are or aren’t receiving something that you really want in your life. Once you take 100% responsibility, you can ask yourself a very important question: What am I not willing to do?
It was year three in my business. I was overrun with responsibilities. I was grumpy. I was making good money, but not really enjoying any of it. Every day felt like I was running a marathon. And I kept thinking, “I’m doing everything I can! I’m selling. I’m marketing. I’m organizing. There’s nothing more that I can do. Yet, I’m totally and completely wiped out. Clearly I’m just not meant for this.” And those deep, scary thoughts were coming up – “Should I leave? Should I close the business?”
And then one day, I had the scariest thought I’d ever had. (This one causes so much shame that I’ve had to write and delete it three times already.) I looked at someone who was sick and I wished that I could be sick too, just so I’d have a real reason to let everything go. It was just a split second thought and I said the words, “Cancel. Cancel. Cancel.” as soon as it came. But it was enough for me to really take a second look at my business and my life.
What I had created was a job. A job where I had every responsibility and task in the company. I finally asked myself: What am I not willing to do? And the answer came: I was so afraid of hiring great people that I just didn’t do it. I wasn’t WILLING to step into the fear of hiring people. Not until I really hit that dark place. When I got clear about what I wasn’t willing to do – I finally surrendered and decided to try it.
Now multiple team members later, I can honestly say that looking at what I wasn’t willing to do saved my life and my business. What am I not willing to do? This is a question I use over and over again today when I’m stuck or struggling with something I don’t know how to solve. A simple question. A life-saving answer. Enjoy.
Photo: flickr, nosha
