Crossing the "T's" and dotting the... lower-cased "j's"

My sister and I were having a conversation not too long ago. We noticed how the people we knew that were the most successful were also the most responsible. The more we talked about taking responsibility, the more we realized that taking responsibility really gets you noticed by all the right people. That being said... it can also make you more noticeable to people in all the wrong ways.

So what's the difference? It has something to do with follow-through and not taking on too much responsibility. In this case, as with many other topics that will be covered in this blog, it is important to know your limits. Know how much responsibility you can take on before you get overloaded. Naturally, to find your limits, you may exceed them occasionally. You can do this every once in a while, but if you do go over your limits often it can have a negative affect.

Following through with projects and assignments may not get you noticed all the time. If you consistently DON'T follow through, people tend to notice. The less you follow through the less responsibility people will offer you. In the worst case scenario... you get fired. (Sorry, did I say "fired"... I mean "let go") Sugar-coat it all you want, but if you don't get the job done, you cannot enjoy the benefits. Well, unless nepotism is a common practice in your family.

Even though responsibility is a double-edged sword, I do suggest you check it out for yourself. Responsibility is a game of risk vs. reward. If you risk and succeed, you can reap the rewards. Who knows, you might just like it.