Week 5: Build Social Support

Take responsibility for your thoughts, feelings, and actions. You will feel better about yourself and your life. Blaming others is a natural, child-like reaction. It is more adult-like to figure out the amount of control you have in a given situation and respond to it in a mature way. You may not have control in every situation, but you can choose how you respond to others.

One reason to become more accountable for your responses is that a “victim” response forms negative, draining feelings. Self-responsibility creates positive energy. With it you can manage every event in a more positive, self-nurturing manner. One way to do this is to look at your language and see if you use “victim” or “accountability” phrases.

Example “victim” phrase:

I can’t improve my sleep until my boss gives me a better work shift.

Example “accountability” phrase:

I can schedule a meeting with my boss to discuss my shift and my sleep needs.

The Power of a Phrase

Fill in after the victim phrase with something you have caught yourself saying or are feeling right now. Use an accountability phrase to re-write this statement.

Victim Phrase

•  I can’t…

•  It’s useless…

•  I have to…

•  Why am I always the one who…

Accountability Phrase

•  I can...

•  There’s always a chance…

•  I choose to…

•  I’ll be the one who…