Goals: On Being Overcommitted

“If you’re going to overcommit, you best at least be committed to it.” ~~Jennifer Scott~~

If you know me well, you, I’m sure, will agree that I have a tendency to take on a lot all at once. I believe that I can do anything, and was recently reminded that while that’s very true, I can’t do *everything*. Yet, in the honor of Stress Awareness Month, I am committing to being overcommitted.

I am committed to taking on however much I take on and just getting it done.
I am committed to not being “stressed out” about the amount I take on.
I am committed to doing as much as I can, in the best way I can, and knowing that it is exactly as it’s supposed to be.
I am committed to achieving my goals, accomplishing my to-do’s, and being the greatest “me” I can be, in all my overcommitted glory.

I hope that I can inspire you to be as much as you can and want to be for yourself and everyone around you. And, just remember to breathe!

Motivation

“The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice that which we are for what we could become.” ~~Charles DuBois~~

Every moment we’re awake can be a learning experience. I was reminded yesterday through a series of events, that even (and maybe “especially”) the most challenging of situations are fantastic opportunities for learning and practicing what we learn. I silently cheered as I noticed that what I DID was not at all what I normally do. I sacrificed a habit. I learned from my past, applied what I learned to my present, and noticed a significant difference in how people responded to me. It was a great experience. It did not at all change the challenging situation. But in changing how I responded, I took responsibility for how I felt about the situation, and THAT made all the difference in the world!

What behaviors or beliefs can you sacrifice to become a better you?

Motivation

“The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs.” ~~Joan Didion~~

Two topics I love rolled into one quote; accepting responsibility and self-respect. I really like this one. I’ve never thought about self-respect as tied to being 100% responsible… but it makes perfect sense. I certainly respect myself more when I take responsibility for my self and my actions. I certainly find it easier to be 100% responsible when my ego is intact. I wanted to explore this further. I even went as far as looking up the “root word” or suffix “resp” to see if there were some deeper meaning, and I found this, the suffix for breathe is: “resp” (respiratory, respirator, respiration)… hmmm… very interesting. So here’s a leap of faith: being 100% responsible for yourself helps you build your self-respect, which in turn helps you breathe (read: live). OK, it really is a leap, but one I’m willing to take.

“They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

Don’t give up that power. Be responsible for your own actions. Build your sense of self. Be proud of who you are. Live. Breathe. Enjoy!

Attitude

“Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene.” ~~Arthur Christopher Benson~~

A little more on being 100% responsible:

I was reminded again yesterday after a situation during which I could have reacted better, that I am 100% responsible. I am responsible for creating my actions, my reactions, my responses and my results. I am responsible for how I feel, how I live, and how I work. If I am not getting what I want, I need to take steps to fix that.

It is hard to take responsibility for yourself, and so easy to blame others. But, where does that get you?

Preparation + Taking Responsibility

“Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.” ~~Dietrich Bonhoeffer~~

As I prepare for the work-week ahead, a short one at that, and look at the sheer magnitude of my TO DO list, I admit, I’m a little overwhelmed. This post is really to help me remember that I am 100% responsible for myself and my actions. I can freak out, or I can be thankful that I have so many opportunities in front of me. I can blame my circumstances for not getting as much done last week as I had hoped, or I can appreciate that I had some extra time with my family and get busy now. This post is to help remind me that I can accomplish whatever I set out to accomplish, because I believe that I can, and I am ready to take responsibility for my success. Are you ready to take responsibility for your success?

“You can awaken each day to obligations you never chose - or you can decide now to choose them.” ~~Robert Brault~~