Help Isn't Coming

Back in August, the Harvard Business Review had an article about how to take ownership of your actions by taking responsibility for them. (http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/08/take_ownership_of_your_actions.html )  The article quotes According to the article taking responsibility is the first step to developing a healthy sense of self and that we internalize the idea of taking responsibility when we realize, "no one is coming." It turns out that this is a liberating concept. Help is not coming. The responsibility is yours.

I am a Humanist so I agree completely with this assessment. Help isn’t coming in material or spiritual form. If we are going to solve our problems, we need to make it our responsibility to do so.  Instead of panicking that no one will save you, a Humanist accepts the responsibility that knowing no one is coming entails. The best part is that once we start fixing our own problems, people come to help us. It is often just getting ourselves over the hurdle of waiting for someone else to fix our problems that holds us back.  And yes, this is not just a liberating concept, it’s an empowering one. 

The article concludes by saying, “In a world where problems are getting more complex, determined and innovative problem-solving will flow from those who live as if help is not coming. Living with responsibility can make us stronger and more action-oriented individuals. It's up to you to make change and take responsibility for outcomes in your professional life. What are you waiting for?”

Well, what are you waiting for?