That means you must face and take responsibility for all your past mistakes and good fortune. You must quit looking for other people to make you feel better about yourself. You and you alone, must decide right here and now, to do whatever it takes to create the life you want.

Whew! That's a big one for a lot of us.

But here's the bottom line: no ONE or no THING is ever going to make you happier or more successful than you can make yourself. Period.

Now this principle doesn't mean you have to become the lone ranger and push away help when you need it.

It also doesn't mean there won't be circumstances beyond your control that impact your best laid plans.

And it doesn't mean you have to be perfect.

What it does mean is you are willing to do whatever it takes to create the life you really want, no matter what challenges you face and how daunting a task it feels like right now.

Taking 100% responsibility for your life means you'll wake up each morning with the commitment to make each day YOUR day ? a day of your choosing. It means you'll choose everything you're going to do that day, from the clothes you wear to the attitude you present to the world.

Taking responsibility for your life gives you power because when you take responsibility for what isn't working in your life you gain the power to change it.

And when you take responsibility for what is working, you gain confidence and step more fully into the position of being a leader of your own life.

You are the creator of your life. Nothing happens to you that you haven't set the stage for in the past. This is hard to accept, I know. But once you realize this is the case, you can actively create the life of your choosing, rather than living a life that feels out of your control.

Right now, if you're ready, take this PLEDGE!

Raise your left hand and place your right hand over your heart and repeat after me, I, ___________, take 100% responsibility in my life and what I create in it, including my feelings. I am proud of myself for taking this pledge. Now that I have, I know there is nothing I cannot do, be or have.

Good work! You are one step closer to getting and keeping your life on track, once and for all!

P.S. Did you take the pledge? Great! Don't think I'm going to leave you hanging now that you have. Over the next several weeks you'll get more tips on how to actively create the life you most want! This is exciting stuff!

Copyright 2006 Cari Vollmer