Taking Responsibility
Ah, the delights of a disasterous situation.
Life is never easy. There are always so many bumps and mistakes and close calls along the way. 'Tension' is what they call it, I believe.
We've been having some 'tension' this week.
Inherent to preventing such tension, such disasters, I believe, is taking responsibility.
It sounds so simple, doesn't it? But oh no, friends, I don't think it is simple at all. It's the kind of thing that keeps you awake at night. It's the kind of thing that messes with your stomach until the situation is 'resolved'. But, at the same time, it's the kind of thing that gets people where they need to be... when they need to be there... with everything they need to succeed.
Taking responsibility is not easy.
(Warning: the below comments will sound like a work-a-holic talking... but it only slips into a 'disorder' when taken to extreme. Taking responsibility for your duties is not at all the same as being a work-a-holic.)
Taking responsibility means:
1. Following up and making sure things got done... even if it might not be 100% your job.
2. Not assuming someone else is going to do it.
3. Checking, double-checking, and checking yet again.
4. Realizing that no matter how small, each job we're given is a task given to us ultimately by God and that the degree to which we do that job with excellence is the degree to which we seek to glorify Him.
5. Prioritizing needs above wants... i.e., I *need* to take the extra hour to make sure all the tickets are correct... vs. I *want* to go to bed or I *want* to watch my favorite TV show.
6. Working even if you don't feel like it... working even if you have the sniffles... working even if it's 'that time of the month'
7. Not trying to find five other people on which to place the blame. If it's your responsibility, take the blame. It does not make you a lesser person. In fact, it will help others respect you more. After all, everyone makes mistakes... its how you handle those mistakes that shows what kind of character you have.
8. Sometimes going the extra mile... helping out when you weren't asked... being a good samaritan
9. Learning to think ahead... what will be required next? what will that person need to succeed tomorrow? how can I be one step ahead, be there before the next need even arises?
10. Doing it all with a joyful attitude that knows that taking responsibility is ultimately a divine act of service that benefits others and helps bring us all together in a spirit of community.
Well, there you have it. A bit of a rant, but also a bit of a glimpse into what makes me... 'me'.
~lk
Life is never easy. There are always so many bumps and mistakes and close calls along the way. 'Tension' is what they call it, I believe.
We've been having some 'tension' this week.
Inherent to preventing such tension, such disasters, I believe, is taking responsibility.
It sounds so simple, doesn't it? But oh no, friends, I don't think it is simple at all. It's the kind of thing that keeps you awake at night. It's the kind of thing that messes with your stomach until the situation is 'resolved'. But, at the same time, it's the kind of thing that gets people where they need to be... when they need to be there... with everything they need to succeed.
Taking responsibility is not easy.
(Warning: the below comments will sound like a work-a-holic talking... but it only slips into a 'disorder' when taken to extreme. Taking responsibility for your duties is not at all the same as being a work-a-holic.)
Taking responsibility means:
1. Following up and making sure things got done... even if it might not be 100% your job.
2. Not assuming someone else is going to do it.
3. Checking, double-checking, and checking yet again.
4. Realizing that no matter how small, each job we're given is a task given to us ultimately by God and that the degree to which we do that job with excellence is the degree to which we seek to glorify Him.
5. Prioritizing needs above wants... i.e., I *need* to take the extra hour to make sure all the tickets are correct... vs. I *want* to go to bed or I *want* to watch my favorite TV show.
6. Working even if you don't feel like it... working even if you have the sniffles... working even if it's 'that time of the month'
7. Not trying to find five other people on which to place the blame. If it's your responsibility, take the blame. It does not make you a lesser person. In fact, it will help others respect you more. After all, everyone makes mistakes... its how you handle those mistakes that shows what kind of character you have.
8. Sometimes going the extra mile... helping out when you weren't asked... being a good samaritan
9. Learning to think ahead... what will be required next? what will that person need to succeed tomorrow? how can I be one step ahead, be there before the next need even arises?
10. Doing it all with a joyful attitude that knows that taking responsibility is ultimately a divine act of service that benefits others and helps bring us all together in a spirit of community.
Well, there you have it. A bit of a rant, but also a bit of a glimpse into what makes me... 'me'.
~lk
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