In my coaching capacity I often conduct something called a values elicitation.  This exercises is all about uncovering what is really important to my clients.  If you like, it uncovers the blueprint by which they run their lives.  Quite often responsibility comes out as a core value.  The concept of responsibility or your 'ability to respond' can be perceived quite differently by different individuals.

When I was sitting in the conference room with Dr Hew Len 2 weeks ago, he talked about total responsibility.  i.e being totally responsible for every single action, thought, word and deed.  I was introduced to this concept some time ago when I attended the Landmark Forum in London - circa 1991.  I didn't get it at the time, the concept was too big for me.  To be totally honest it is still an area that I have to work hard on each and every day.  A lifetime of conditioning often means that for me, I sometimes get into that blaming groove.  I know exactly when I am doing it because I feel my energy levels dipping.  Why sometimes I even blame the weather for my 'state'.  The truth is, I cannot do anything about the climatic conditions, I can however do something about the way I respond to it.

I wonder how much responsibility you take on a day to day basis for your own life.  Are you able to 'let go' of the person who cut you up on the motorway, or the shop assistant who served somebody else before you?  Can you take responsibility for your health given that you may not have had enough sleep over the last week or that you drank too much?  Can you take responsibility for the job that you do and the people that you work with?  Can you take responsibility for your relationships and the part that you play in them?

I wonder what would happen if you made some changes this week to the way you embrace one hundred percent responsibility?  Keep a journal, jot down things that surprise you and the things that challenge you.  Reflect on how your energy levels vary when your ability to respond to every thought, word, deed and action improves.  Remember that a lifetime of conditioning brings you to the present.  What happens from this  moment and all those that follow is now your choice.  Regain your energy and take 100% responsibility for everything that you do.