Nobody’s fault but mine. I heard this song by Led Zeppelin today. The Zep were a top tier classic rock act founded in the late nineteen sixties, who broke up in the early 1980’s when their drummer died.
It occurred to me the song title was actually a fabulous mantra for personal accountability. The sentiment is much easier to voice or sing than to actually practice, but for me it really resonates.
You Made Me
One of my pet peeves is how easily we attribute cause to others. I do this too although I try very hard not too. In truth comments like “that driver makes me nuts” just are not true.
No one can make you feel crazy, frustrated, angry ,disappointed, etc. External factors can influence how you feel and behave however the fact is the choice is yours and yours alone.
If you experience road rage and choose to act on your feelings, it is absolutely your choice alone, it is nobody’s fault but yours. In point of fact the other driver as annoying as they may be can not take control of your brain.
Recognize, you own it
One of the real benefits of being able to fully accept accountability is your actions are measured and far less likely to be precipitous. Knowing all blame lies with you leads to second thoughts before acting in ways you will ultimately regret.
Believing you will not being able to absolve yourself using a scapegoat or an excuse, that is accepting full accountability results in exemplary personal behaviour.
Give it a try, people will admire you and you will feel good.
