With Choice Comes Responsibility
by: Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD
Choice is a powerful thing. Every choice that you make creates
the life you live. However, choice does not come without a price,
and that price is responsibility, a word I fondly refer to as
the "R" word. We all love choice, but when it comes
to responsibility, well, that's another story.
In the on-line university classes I teach, the students are
assigned a group participation project. It is not mandatory to
participate, but it is impossible to achieve an A grade if the
student does not participate. I am very clear with my students
that no individual grades will be given for the group project,
and they have four weeks in which to complete the assignment.
It never fails that several students in each class will choose
not to participate, reciting numerous excuses to explain why they
couldn't work with the group. However, they are always able to
complete the project on their own and want credit. I give them
the grade I promised when they chose not to participate with the
group, a zero. All of the students have a choice to participate
or not, but with that choice comes responsibility. They must take
responsibility for earning a zero if they choose not to participate.
Most are not happy with this consequence and a few have complained
to the Dean. The students want the choice but they don't want
totake responsibility.
With choice comes great power. With choice, freedom is created,
but with freedom comes great responsibility. As Spiderman said,
"Great power comes with great responsibility." You have
the freedom to make the choices that you desire, but also the
requirement to take responsibility for those choices. I am very
willing to take responsibility for the choices I make that turn
out well, but not so enthusiastic to lay claim to the choices
that don't turn out favorably. When you are able to take responsibility
for every choice you make, you truly embrace the real power that
comes with choice and the freedom to live your life as you choose.
The world doesn't always provide great examples of taking responsibility.
We see politicians passing the buck, people suing companies for
spilling hot coffee on themselves, and executives blaming everyone
but themselves for the failure of their companies. Pointing the
finger at others might seem like the easy way out, but it comes
with a price, and that price is the loss of personal power. Whenever
you blame someone for a choice you have made, you give your power
away and are rendered helpless.
Learning to take responsibility can be a challenging lesson,
but once you learn the power of taking responsibility, you will
not want to go back. Choice enables you to create your life, and
taking responsibility for all of those choices enables you to
enjoy life on your terms.
About The Author: Coach Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD, is a
Certified Master Coach specializing in working with business owners
and professionals in being more profitable and productive while
staying sane and balanced. Coach Lee is the publisher of the award
winning e-zine, 365 Days of Coaching. Her first book, 365 Days
of Coaching Because Life Happens Every Day (Universal Publisher,
2004) was named a finalist for Best Book 2004 by Publish.com and
has a five star rating on Amazon.com. Visit Coach Lee at her websites
http://www.coachlee.com
and http://www.365daysofcoaching.com.
True Direction, Inc. Copyright
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