A couple years ago I read the book “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink.

The main idea of the book is taking full responsibility for every aspect of your life as well as your team. No deflecting, blaming, or excuses.

I found the book very inspiring and could see how more ownership in life was useful.

But at the time, I was meeting many of my goals and feeling great. So I filed the info away in my mind.

Fast forward to the present, and this idea of extreme ownership is ringing in my head.

While I don’t usually pick a word of the year, ownership would definitely be mine.

When I reflect on areas where I am struggling, it’s because I am blaming others for my shortcomings. I am not owning my part in my failures and not owning the solution to fix them.

Take health, for example.

I have gained weight and gotten less healthy in the 2 years since we moved back to our hometown.

For most of those two years I blamed the food culture of the Midwest for my health problems. I believed if I was back in Arizona I would magically be healthy again and have good habits.

So I would pout and sulk about my situation.

I felt this affecting my relationships and my self esteem.

One day while I was blaming everyone else in my mind, I was reminded of this book I read a couple years back.

Finally, something clicked in my brain.

I can be the reason I fail or I can be the reason I succeed.

I realized no one else can make me go to the gym or write on my blog or be kind to my loved ones.

I realized Kevin can’t pick my future goals for me and he can’t motivate me to be better.

These things come from me. And when I own my stuff, I can also be a better team player in our household.

As I write and refine my 2024 goals I feel a new fire and passion. These are MY goals. I own them, whether they fail or succeed.

I impact my outcomes, not others and not situations around me. No more excuses.

---

I have been back in the gym the last two weeks and eating better. But it feels different than a flimsy New Years Resolution.

My mind is saying, “I am done doing things that make me feel bad. So I choose to be better for myself and others. It is my choice.”

It feels good to own it and realize I have a lot of say in my life again.

No more pouting for me. 😊

-Brittany