Your answer is probably, “yes, of course I am.” “I’m responsible. I pay my bills on time, show up at work, and meet family commitments.”

Are you really responsible?

Do you step up for mistakes you make at work? Do you let the boss know you didn’t follow up in time to make sure everything would be in place on time.

Do you say, “sorry, I did that” when your spouse asks a question that hurts, even just a little.

Do you take responsibility when your kids mess up and say, “you know what, I didn’t teach you how to act in that situation, let’s practice.”

Being responsible is about taking ownership of everything under your control

This isn’t micromanagement. It’s not controlling everything you see. That will wear you out and add mountains of stress to your day.

It’s about making sure the people you work with know who’s responsible for each part of the plan they’re working on. It’s also about ensuring they know how to do their part of the plan. If they mess it up, you’re responsible.

When your kids mess up, do something which irritates the crap out of you, or your spouse is getting on you for something you did, guess what, you’re responsible as well.

Why are you responsible for them? Because you haven’t taught them how to clean up the mess, put their toys away, or interact with their siblings using a better method.

If you didn’t follow through with your spouse, it’s on you to make it right. Didn’t clean out the garage like you promised? Talk to your spouse ahead of time on why you need to delay. Don’t wait for it to pass and hope your lack of action is noticed.

A positive attitude gets a better response.

Ever hear, “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar?”

When you approach your kids to teach a “your way” of accomplishing a task, or your spouse to bargain when the garage should be cleaned out, patience and positivity will get a much better response and outcome than demands, irritation, and blaming.

The same goes with co-workers. Who wants to do good work when they’re told exactly how to do everything. If they don’t know when it’s due, there’s no motivation to complete it. Being a good team player and leader requires everyone to be on the same page, follow up, and encouragement.

What if you work on your own?

As a writer, what are the pieces you need to ensure are completed for your article?

Are you doing research? Are you calling experts for quotes? Are you editing? Do you read your work out loud to ensure your reader understands your sentences?

If you want to put forth the best piece possible, you have to put in your best work. When you skip steps, your work fails. If you call for a quote at the last minute, you’re at fault. If you fail to edit, your piece suffers. Soon enough you become a writer whose work is overlooked.

Be the writer who readers look forward to reading.

When you’re responsible, others look to you

When you follow through, others see that and look to you for help, advice, and input. That gets noticed. By bosses co-workers, your friends and family. The people who are most important to you look to you and know they can depend on you.

When you take responsibility, especially when something goes wrong, and you fix the problem, you’re the one the boss and your co-workers seek out. Everyone learns they can depend on you, not to take a fall for the team, but to make sure everything goes well.

If you have a family, kids know you’ll teach them the right way, not yell and blame. A spouse knows you’ll be able to have a conversation and work out the issue calmly. A huge bonus for you!

With responsibility comes promotion, a good working team, and a happier life

You become known as the one who gets things done. You’re also the person who ensures your team works smoothly.

Who’s more likely to get a promotion or take the lead on projects? Someone who points at a co-worker saying, “check with him, he failed to turn in his report,” or the one who stands up and says, “I’ll take care of it.”

When you take responsibility, you become the person in charge. The one the boss comes to for answers and the big accounts. Everyone knows you can will things done.

Many people want to do their job and leave. They put in the minimum time and check out, hoping they don’t get called out during the day.

Short term mess clean up leads to smooth running operations and relationships

In the long run, everyone will work together better and interactions will be easier and more enjoyable overall.

If you work for yourself, you’re responsible for everything. If you fail to act and put in the time necessary, you don’t get paid.

There are days when events won’t go well. Take it in stride. Vow to do better, take responsibility and make the changes necessary so “the next time” there is no situation which needs to be handled.

Home life is a lot easier when you take responsibility. Working together makes your environment more relaxed. Your kids interact with you in a more positive way and listen when you offer different ways of handling situations.

No one’s waiting to be yelled at. No one’s wondering when the tension will start. Your spouse and kids know if something goes wrong, it’ll be corrected without drama. They’ll also see what works and join in. Win, win!

Be the person who takes responsibility and enjoy your life much more.