The Importance of Personal Responsibility to Success in Life

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AI-generated image of a man holding personal responsibility for his life
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Highlights: A developed sense of personal responsibility allows you to build a better life. Here’s how it can help you unlock your potential.
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Personal responsibility — what comes to mind when you hear this phrase?

Is it the blame game, like “who’s responsible for this?“, or does it signify power and success?

In fact, self-responsibility is “the accountability of individuals for their actions.” Simply put, it’s when a person is not only responsible but also answerable or accountable for something within their control.

What Is Personal Responsibility?

When you’re faced with the reaction of your actions — whether it’s positive or negative — you own up to it. You accept the idea that you create the life you love. You understand and appreciate that things happen for you, not to you.

That’s what personal responsibility is.

You are 100% responsible for what you think and say to yourself and the response you create out of it,” says Marisa Peer, author of Mindvalley’s Rapid Transformational Hypnotherapy for Abundance Quest.

A responsible person doesn’t have to play the victim. Instead, they are the victor.

Unfortunately, as with anything worthwhile in life, being accountable isn’t always easy. It requires courage, acceptance, and changing the premise of your life. And here’s how you can start doing so.

AI-generated image of a woman holding personal responsibility

How Can You Develop Personal Responsibility?

When it comes to being accountable for your actions, it’s important to take what’s in front of you, make a choice, and take control. A responsible person is to be able to act, not react.

Thinking is the foundation of achieving your extraordinary life,” says Jon Butcher, author of Mindvalley’s Lifebook Quest. “The life you get is going to be the result of the choices you make and the actions you take.” 

So, take the steps to create what you want through conscious choices.

Step 1: No blaming and no complaining

Blaming others puts you in the position of victimhood. Complaining is just another way to shake off responsibility. Together, they disable you from making real changes.

Step 2: Don’t take things personally

Remember, disagreements are not personal attacks. Try and see things objectively and rationally instead of reacting on impulse.

Step 3: Be conscious of your actions

There’s great power in being able to make conscious, calculated choices. Always keep your goals in mind and choose your actions accordingly.

What Is an Example of a Responsibility?

Oftentimes, we think of responsibility as paying our bills on time, providing for our family, or going to bed on time.

However, responsibility permeates all aspects of life. This can include:

  • Being punctual
  • Maintain an optimistic attitude
  • Practicing active listening
  • Motivate those around you, including your friends and family
  • Contributing to your community through volunteering or donations
  • Being flexible by adjusting your efforts or changing your perspective

And there are times when personal responsibilities can extend beyond yourself, like teaching your child self-regulation.

For example, you give your child the task of cleaning the dishes. While this is technically their responsibility, you also have a responsibility to provide your child with the knowledge and tools to do the job right. You’re also responsible for doling out punishment if your child misbehaves or disobeys your request.

The bottom line is, personal responsibility provides a sense of purpose as well as helps create a positive environment for yourself and those around you.

Why Is Personal Responsibility Important?

Life presents you with many choices that can influence your goals, achievements, and success. 

Sidestepping these responsibilities may feel good momentarily. But like addiction, it “leads to exponentially worse pain and suffering in the long term,” according to addiction counselor Steve Rose, Ph.D. And you may just end up always feeling stuck in life

That’s why personal responsibility is important. It allows individuals to:

  • Readily accept the outcome of their choices without holding anybody else accountable
  • Look back at the outcomes, especially if they’re negative
  • Create a strategy that prevents future mistakes
  • Nurture meaningful relationships that are based on trust
  • Design a love life that is the foundation of you and your partner’s lives

What’s more, responsibility is a two-way street. When you set your standards, others, in return, will know what kind of actions you expect from them.

AI-generated image of two women holding personal responsibility for their life

What Are 5 Responsible Behaviors?

The way you choose to act positively impacts your life, your community, and even the world at large. So here are five behaviors you can adopt that are key to personal responsibilities: 

1. Fairness

Like you, others feel entitled to things that are rightfully theirs. Fairness means finding the right balance between your needs and the needs of those around you.

2. Honesty

This element of responsibility focuses on the ability to face the truth. You should own up to your mistakes and make amends, where and if possible.

3. Compassion and respect

It’s important to remember that compassion and respect are reciprocated. And a responsible person accepts others for who they are. Like the golden rule goes, “treat others how you want to be treated.

4. Courage

Be brave. Ditch the “brules.” Stand up for your beliefs and values. These are elements that contribute to self-responsibility. 

5. Be accountable

“Blame is the water in which many dreams and relationships drown” is the quote from behavioral scientist Steve Maraboli. What he’s saying is: be accountable. Because accountability shows that you are able to accept the consequences of your actions, decisions, and mistakes.

Live Life Responsibly

Personal responsibility is an essential element to building character. However, it’s not something you are born with, but it’s something you can learn.

You are what you consistently do. Your habits shape your character.

— Jon Butcher, author of Mindvalley’s Lifebook Quest

By leveling up your responsible behavior with your responsible attitude, it’ll lead you to self-love and ultimately, success. 

And if you need a little help, find your way to Mindvalley where you’ll find guidance from experts like Jon and his wife, Missy. You’ll find that taking responsibility for your actions is a significant and worthwhile effort that can drastically change your life.

Recommended Free Masterclass For You

Design a Life So Amazing, You’ll Want to Live It Over and Over and Over Again

Discover the 12 categories of the Lifebook system and the four critical questions to ask yourself. Join Jon and Missy Butcher in this free masterclass so you can begin moving towards your dream life.Reserve My Free Spot Now

Irina Yugay

Irina Yugay

As a former self-development and self-transcendence writer at Mindvalley, Irina uses words to transpire empowering ideas, transcendental feelings, and omniversal values. She's also an ascension coach who helps her clients grow their spiritual awareness and actualize their true nature. With a deep empirical understanding of the spiritual journey, Irina shares her insights and experiences with the readers to inspire them to transcend their limiting beliefs and achieve higher states of consciousness.
Written by

Irina Yugay

As a former self-development and self-transcendence writer at Mindvalley, Irina uses words to transpire empowering ideas, transcendental feelings, and omniversal values. She's also an ascension coach who helps her clients grow their spiritual awareness and actualize their true nature. With a deep empirical understanding of the spiritual journey, Irina shares her insights and experiences with the readers to inspire them to transcend their limiting beliefs and achieve higher states of consciousness.

Tatiana Azman

Tatiana Azman is an SEO content editor for Mindvalley and a certified life coach. With a background in spa and wellness as well as having gone through a cancer experience, she's constantly on the lookout for natural, effective ways that help with one's overall well-being.
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Mindvalley is committed to providing reliable and trustworthy content. We rely heavily on evidence-based sources, including peer-reviewed studies and insights from recognized experts in various personal growth fields. Our goal is to keep the information we share both current and factual. To learn more about our dedication to reliable reporting, you can read our detailed editorial standards.

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Mindvalley is committed to providing reliable and trustworthy content. 

We rely heavily on evidence-based sources, including peer-reviewed studies and insights from recognized experts in various personal growth fields. Our goal is to keep the information we share both current and factual. 

The Mindvalley fact-checking guidelines are based on:

To learn more about our dedication to reliable reporting, you can read our detailed editorial standards.