Riding through the speed bumps of life: the vehicle is personal responsibility

I was on my bike ride this morning listening to Seth Godin’s Tribes—again. He was talking about taking risk and how when you don’t, you really do get stuck in the proverbial rut. Then I saw this sign: Traffic Calming. What happened to Speed Bump? (This link will make you laugh!)

Do you change the words to mask the real message? Get out of your own way. You may have a mental “border control” that doesn’t let you think differently because of the ingrained negative thinking that holds you back from taking risk. Learn to challenge your own thinking.

You will fall off your bike when you hit life’s speed bumps. I guarantee it. Dust yourself off, get back on and try another approach. Read a book, watch a video; just find a new path. When you keep taking the same route, you won’t see opportunity, and you definitely won’t take personal responsibility. Evaluate all the ways you mentally derail yourself with negative self-talk and how you conveniently change the message to suit your situation. Challenge your own decision-making skills.

As I was riding, the next block had this sign: Speed Tables. What the heck does that mean? Maybe the thought was if someone doesn’t get Traffic Calming, the Speed Tables sign will get their attention.

How do you use personal responsibility to get through the speed bumps of life?

Marsha Petrie Sue

Professional keynote speaker

Board member, The WOMA