Taking Responsibility – Lifetime Opportunity

Those things that hurt, instruct.

Benjamin Franklin

We are often confronted with making certain decisions. Some we ignore, others we don’t care about, most especially when we think we are not the only one involved and we feel the other people should be in the best position to act. 

The consequences of not acting as expected are grave in nature. Counting the cost of failing to take responsibility is the first thing to think about when faced with such decision. That's the only drive to act.

Procrastination is even better because you do it, but the other one means you’re not interested in doing it or maybe you only acted when it is evident things have gone wrong.

Who will bear the consequence? You of course, whether it is you or another person that should get that thing done. I will tell why later.

How should you handle the situation?

Responsibility is the most important ability that a person can possess. 

John C. Maxwell

Take responsibility for any unfavourable outcome whether you are directly or indirectly the cause. This is a lesson you must learn. That’s part of learning process for you. Take it joyfully. I say, joyfully. Put all your strength to prevent possible occurrence in the future. You have just learnt to do new thing. Even if you don’t have what it takes to make amendment, you can add that to the list of skills you must acquire so as to be able to take additional responsibilities in the future. 

Your boss need not know whether you can do it or not. Allow him to assigned you to the task. He will be surprised you can give as much as that to the organization. It has gone on record that sometimes ago, Mr Nice did this. Gbam! You have the recommendation of your superior during the next promotion.

So you’re now afraid, right? what if I can’t do it? Find out how to do it. Perhaps, a colleague in your organization can do it, or maybe, you will need to consult another friend in another organization. What I’m saying is that, you must be ready. Keep improving your skill sets.

Don’t wait to be told to do it. Let it be that, they will ask you not to do it. But you have shown you’re not irresponsible. You feel you were sidelined in that wise. No, not at all! You have only shown to all that, you are available anytime. That’s what you gain – availability. Don’t be afraid to be available for a task because it will make you available for unexpected reward. That’s time, everyone will also be available to celebrate your accomplishment. Those that would have raised eyebrows would have seen enough evidence not too.

How do you gain courage to take responsibility? 

It’s by taking the responsibility. How do you take responsibility? Plan ahead. How do you plan? Get additional skill relevant to your organization. How do you do that? Enrol for online classes, gain from your friend within or outside the organization, among others. Make dynamism your goal. Constantly emerge. 

I have heard this said severally that, pests develop resistance to chemicals that are meant to destroy or prevent their invasion over time. Have you wondered how that happens? They get more familiar with it. They observe or perceive their environment. This must be the chemical that kill my friend. Quickly, it find an exist route, if possible give a signal to another friend approaching the territory. Danger ahead ! The cycle continues. Even the dying one can give signal to the one alive. 

If you will not become irrelevant soon, you must observe you environment to know why some seniors or surbornates are no longer relevant and sent out of the organization. 

Similarly, get to know why clients are no longer patronising your product or service. Do your findings in a little way. That’s a responsibility you must assume to win the game for your organization. If you must leave, you have something your new organisation will need to lead the market. They will be willing to pay, because its an experience they don’t have. 

Think of missing those benefits. 

You will blame yourself for the wasted years you’re not in the learning zone. That moment you become your own judge. It will be more painful because you have untapped potentials, and now, it almost time to left the labour market. Remember, organisations now prefer vibrant candidates to the outdated, unlearned and dry fish because it is unbendable.

So, next time you want to be show ‘I don’t care’ attitude, remember how much it will cost you – a lifetime opportunity. 

Be ready to give something always whether you feel it is adequate or not. 

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