We all know people who live a life of blame. When bad things happen, it’s someone else’s fault. It’s the economy. It’s the government.
I got screwed by the judge. The other side’s attorney is an [expletive]. My client didn’t listen.
But as long as you blame someone or something else for what ails you, you can’t improve anything. Stuff happens and it’s not your fault.
But it is your fault. And that’s good because it means you can change things.
Jack Canfield says, “If you want to be successful, you have to take 100% responsibility for everything you experience in your life.”
If you don’t take responsibility, you relinquish your power. You become a victim. You go through life letting things happen to you because, of course, there’s nothing you can do about it.
But we all have a choice. We can choose to say, “oh well, that’s just the way it is,” or we can choose to accept responsibility and reclaim our power.
Sure, bad things happen. There is evil in the world. Sometimes the bird of happiness craps on your head. But you don’t have to accept any of it.
Canfield says, “If something doesn’t turn out as planned. . . ask yourself, “How did I create that? What was I thinking? What were my beliefs? What did I say or not say? What did I do or not do to create that result? How did I get the other person to act that way? What do I need to do differently next time to get the result I want?â€
Okay, so people are out of work and can’t afford to hire you. Those are the circumstances. You can’t change them. But you can change what you do about it.
You can do things to attract clients who are working and have money. You can change your practice area. You can get set up to accept credit cards. You can do a better job of marketing than other lawyers in your market.
There are many things you can do, but only if you first accept responsibility.
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