Success Principle: Do you take responsibility for the success (or lack of) in your business?

When I first started reading Jack Canfield’s book ”The Success Principles”, I was kind of surprised to see that the first “success principle” was taking 100% responsibility for your life. At first glance I thought that that principle was pretty obvious. Of course I take responsibility for my life.  It wasn’t until I started thinking about what “taking responsibility” for my business would look like, that I had my “aha” moment.

When I first decided that I wanted to develop my direct sales business as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I used to lament the fact that “it was so hard”, “I’m not a natural born salesperson”, “no one wants to book a workshop (i.e. home party)”, “I don’t know enough people”….and on and on it went. It wasn’t until I stopped and really listened to myself that I realized that my own thoughts and beliefs and actions (well really, my lack of actions) were what was standing in the way of my success.

I took each one of my “limiting beliefs” and started looking for ways to turn them around – whether it was by changing my perspective, or taking action.  For example, instead of telling myself that I wasn’t naturally gifted in sales, I started telling myself that I could do anything I set my mind to.  I then went out to my local bookstore and bought some books on sales and started reading.  Another example is how I addressed the fact that I didn’t know enough people.  I took some time to think about my interests and started going to places where I could meet people with similar interests. Before I knew it, my circle of friends and acquaintances had grown considerably.

So what about you?  Are you taking 100% responsibility for your business and how your choices and thoughts impact your business?  Please take a moment to share your thoughts on this as well as examples in your own life.