It’s Not Your Fault (But It Is Your Responsibility)

Hello motto,

Remember that time when your to-do list seemed to multiply overnight? When you stared at your goals and thought, "I'll get to that... eventually"?

I had one of those moments last week. Sitting at my desk, tea getting cold, staring at a project I'd been putting off for months. And I caught myself thinking, "When things settle down, I'll finally have time for this."

Then it hit me – things never really "settle down," do they?

It's easy to look at others who seem to have it all figured out and think, "If only I had their resources/connections/luck." I've been there too. But waiting for perfect circumstances is like waiting for a taxi in the middle of the ocean. (This is what i tell myself everyday)

Here's the truth that changed everything for me: It's not your fault, but it is your responsibility.

Let's talk about what that actually means for your next move.

Quotes:

Mindset Shift: From Reactive to Proactive 💡

Last year, I missed an opportunity I'd been dreaming about for ages. My first reaction? Blame the timing, the economy, even the weather – anything but myself.

Sound familiar?

You've probably heard people say that life's what happens when you're busy making plans. But I've learned that's only partly true. The real magic happens when you stop reacting to life's challenges and start proactively shaping them.

Think about the last time you waited for the "perfect moment" to start something important. How'd that work out? For me, those "perfect moments" rarely arrived – and when they did, I wasn't ready because I'd spent so much time waiting instead of preparing.

So, instead of waiting for circumstances to change, what if you decided to create your own right now? What would that look like for you today?

Journal Prompt 📝

• If you knew you could not fail, what would be THE big idea you would pursue?

• Who are you? Truly?

When I first answered these questions, my responses were safe, predictable. But when I pushed deeper, past the "should" answers to the raw truth underneath – that's where the gold was.

Guidance for Journaling

1️⃣ Don't just list what drives you – dig into why it matters. (When I did this, I realized half my "passions" were actually other people's expectations!)

2️⃣ Write about the person you want to become, not just who you are today. Describe them as if they already exist.

3️⃣ Messy thoughts on paper beat perfect thoughts stuck in your head every time. Just get it out.

Actionable Strategy: Future Vision Deep Dive

Last month, I was stuck in a loop of indecision about a career move. Then a friend asked me a question that stopped me cold: "What would you regret not doing if this was your last year alive?"

Suddenly, my decision was crystal clear.

This week's strategy taps into that same clarity:

1️⃣ Confront Your Legacy. Grab a sheet of paper and imagine your own funeral (yes, it's uncomfortable – that's the point). What would you want your best friend, a family member, and a colleague to say about who you were and how you lived? Write their eulogies – the honest ones, not the polite versions.

2️⃣ Design Your Gravestone. If today was your last day, what single line would capture the essence of your life? Mine started as something impressive-sounding, but after some reflection, changed to something much more meaningful.

3️⃣ Reflect on Your Regrets. What would haunt you if your time ran out today? The promotion you never pursued? The relationship you didn't fight for? The book unwritten? Get uncomfortably honest.

After doing this exercise myself, I realized I was spending 80% of my energy on things that wouldn't even make a footnote in my life story. Talk about a wake-up call.

Now, based on what surfaced, write down your top three priorities for today. Not for someday – for TODAY. Make them non-negotiable. Put them somewhere you'll see throughout the day.

Closing Thought:

Taking responsibility isn't about blame. It's about power. When you stop waiting for permission, perfect timing, or magical circumstances, something shifts. You realize you've been holding the key all along.

What's one thing – even something tiny – you're going to take ownership of today? Reply and let me know. I read every message, and your insight might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

This Months Book: “The Art Of Focus” By Dan Koe It's a collection of short essays about finding joy in everyday moments

Connect With Me

• thegroundedstate.com

• @thegroundedstate

• [email protected]

P.S. about 3 weeks ago, we dove into The Art of Introspection —how looking inward can unlock your true potential. just wanted to check in and see if you took action. Comment Below if you have question or some positivaty

Marc