Tag: responsibility

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Blame Culture

Black man wearing camouflage hat pointing finger straight ahead

Pointing Fingers In Multiple Directions

Blame culture is based on a set of attitudes that are characterized by an unwillingness to take risks or to accept responsibility for mistakes, due to a fear of criticism or prosecution. We all partake in blame culture, whether intentional or unintentional. But most people who point their fingers in multiple directions do it intentionally.

It’s very easy to fall victim to a blame culture, especially when you constantly see others doing it at work or even in your social circles. Rather than accepting responsibility, people default to throwing others under the bus in order to protect their image, self-interests and ego.

Voluntarily participating in the blame culture is a sign of weakness. Many do it because they get away with it by victimizing others around them who are deemed weaker in the way that they carry themselves. People who are deemed weaker are generally shy, introverted and less confident in themselves.

So people who blame others take advantage of these “weaker folks.” But this is absolutely a wrong thing to do; it doesn’t advance our society in any shape or form. If anything, it further alienates us. On the contrary, we need to be helping “weaker people” by encouraging them to come out of their shells and share their true colors with us.

The sad part about it is that blame culture is largely composed of adults. What message are we sending our children and future generations when we act like immature fools? The message is clear: blame others in order to save yourself. This is the mentality carried by the actual weak people in our society.

Blame culture is also why the stigma of mental health still exists today. Rather than being understanding of each other’s struggles, we continue to blame others for their problems: “get your shit together man, stop loping around the house like you’re all depressed. It’s your fault for feeling like this”, “you never do anything productive! It’s just you and that bottle of Jack. That’s why we’re poor!”

These kinds of statements is why mental health progress is not advancing at the rate that it should be. So let’s all come together and put an end to blame culture!

Are you Ready? (This is Defeating Stigma Mindfully)

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Accepting Responsibility

Responsible young man on stage giving speech at a conference

The Great Attribute Of Responsibility

You cannot always pinpoint when you’re expected to be responsible; sometimes it just comes unexpectedly. As one matures and ages, responsibility generally increases over time. That’s because we don’t have our parents to take care of us anymore. Of course, this doesn’t apply to everyone and exceptions do arise.

But there are times when unexpected events occur, and you have to step up to the plate and take the lead. This is especially important in the workforce. Your coworkers may have all taken vacation during the same month, and you are left alone to run the show. If you are not a responsible person to begin with, this may prove to be especially difficult.

Practicing responsibility from a young age is an attribute that parents should want to instill into their children. It helps them become more independent, more adaptable and even more successful! By not relying on others all of the time, children have a greater chance of becoming independent thinkers with a stronger work ethic, when they grow up.

Responsibility is not always fun, however. Sometimes, life throws at you very demanding tasks that increase your stress levels, to the point of becoming irritable and disgruntled. But you have to remind yourself that, “this too shall pass.” Difficult tasks help mold you into a stronger and more resilient individual.

Don’t shy away from difficult tasks; they are there to help you reach a higher level of well-being. Without difficult tasks, our minds would not be as stimulated on a daily basis. It is true that difficult tasks may require more responsibility, but it’s responsibility that helps you grow as a person and as a leader!

On the other hand, sometimes responsibility can also be fun! Working hard to make money in a field which you enjoy, can pay off dividends in your personal life. It’s a great feeling to be able to live a lifestyle that you enjoy, based on your strong work ethic and responsible ways. Many times, responsibility is what provides you with a sense of freedom!

Are you Ready? (This is Defeating Stigma Mindfully)

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Making A Change Starts Within You

"you got this" written on pavement

You Are Responsible For Making A Change

It is never too late to make a change. Making changes is like pressing the reset button; it helps you start over and head down a new and improved path. But only you can make the change.

One mistake people make is that they hope they can make a change with the help of others. No one in this world can make a change in you besides yourself. You are the master of your life. Even if someone helps you make a change, you must continue implementing that change; not that person.

Another mistake people make is not following up on the change. They may go a day or two with the implemented change but stop afterwards; it may become too difficult to keep the change, they get distracted and deviate off track or they simply give up. Keeping a change requires persistence, motivation and determination.

Changes require effort, time and drive. But anything is doable if you put your heart and mind into it. Do not make the mistake of waiting for others to help you make a change. Start today and take responsibility yourself!

Are you Ready? (This is Defeating Stigma Mindfully)

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Why Your Complaints Do Not Help

Man holding cell phone that says "stop complaining"

Grow Up And Take Responsibility

Complaining is a negative trait or characteristic that a lot of people carry around; they do not realize how much harm the act of complaining does to their physical health, relationships and mental health.

When you complain, the body releases a stress hormone from the adrenal gland (a small gland on top of your kidney) called cortisol. Repeated cortisol release secondary to complaining can impair your immune system, making you more susceptible to developing high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, obesity and strokes. Think of your immune system as your “second brain.” When your “second brain” is impaired, so is your body.

Complaining also negatively affects your relationships. Nobody enjoys hearing a complainer whine about his or her day; it sets off an air of negativity which impacts you and makes you no longer want to spend time with that person.

How about your mental health? You guessed it! Repeatedly complaining can make you depressed, anxious, stressed and miserable. It promotes a vicious cycle: you become stressed and miserable resulting in complaints, and the complaints then result in more stress and anxiety.

When we talk about sharing our experiences and advice on the The DSM Ready Movement, we by no means intend on promoting the act of complaining. DSM Ready is about growth development, taking responsibility for our actions and words and helping each other elevate to the next level.

Are you Ready? (This is Defeating Stigma Mindfully)

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