It’s not always someone else’s fault – sometimes, it’s you. Some people are content with pointing the finger, being miserable and playing the victim in every situation.
Holding yourself accountable is a skill – the more you practice, the better you become. Please know that no one else is to blame for the way your life has turned out so far. No matter how much you point your finger, the responsibility is with you.
At what point do you own up to your actions? When does it stop being someone else’s fault?
Playing The Victim
Just like being responsible is a skill, playing the victim is a skill, too. It’s the more obvious skill to command, but it does come easier to some, than others.
Yes, Sally received a promotion at work and makes more money. You can think whatever you want, but it happened. Don’t let this one thing hold you back in life. Whether she deserved it or not, you can only control what you do.
That’s not to say you should just accept everything that happens in life. There are times where you need to fight back and stand up for what’s right, but it doesn’t need to happen with every disagreement, every argument or every feeling of jealousy.
Your emotions can push you to feel entitled to what everyone else has, but that shouldn’t matter. We all feel we deserve the best, but everyone’s life isn’t the same. Worrying over someone else’s lifestyle won’t give you a better one. You haven’t been cheated, but you can cheat yourself.
The life you live is uniquely yours. You think that someone else has it better than you, or you can see it as motivation to climb to the next level. The quality of someone else’s life does not dictate the quality of yours. You can only change through making responsible decisions and holding yourself accountable.
It’s Your Fault
What are you doing to achieve the life you want? Are you constantly complaining about how someone else had it better, or are you continuously prepping yourself to get to where you want to be?
Your mindset is where it starts. Instead of being that person who blames and complains about others, find a way to create the life you want.
Be logical, not emotional.
We tend to create excuses when we see someone else is doing good. How we react to other people’s success reflects our thoughts about our own lives. Someone else’s good fortune shouldn’t spark negative thoughts. The reality is, you never know what they had to go through to get where they are.
If you see someone who makes lots of money with their business, don’t suck your teeth and conclude that they “came from money,” – look past your emotions and see if you can be just as successful. You shouldn’t be condescending, you should be inspired.
Before you become envious, be motivated. Know that you can create your own advantages just like anyone else. The possibility is always there, but you will have to take your journey to make it happen. Jealousy just takes energy away from being productive. Why hate others for what they have, when you can have it, too?
Remove Your Emotions
Most people want the reward without putting in the effort. That’s where the thoughts of jealousy and envy stem from. True, some people are given things without having to start from the absolute bottom, but that’s their life – what are you doing to enhance your life?
Control what you do. It makes no sense to spend time debating about how someone else has it better. Stressing over what others have does not contribute to your plan. Making up excuses as to why you aren’t on their level is childish.
The grass may be greener on the other side, but that’s irrelevant. All you can do is make sure you keep watering your own.