Why you should choose an active orientation to self responsibility

In the article All About Responsibility, Nathaniel Branden, PhD, writes

Since being responsible for yourself requires effort, thought and a range of difficult decisions, many people convince themselves that it is an impossible challenge. Some blame others for their problems. Others hope that someone will come along and make everything all right. Remember: You cannot respect or trust yourself if you continually pass on to others the burdens of your existence.

Dr. Branden says self-responsibility is an active orientation to life, rather than a passive or victim-like orientation. He says two important questions to ask yourself: "What possibilities for action exist? What can I do?" According to Dr. Branden, "Self-responsibility helps determine satisfaction and success in all areas of our lives." For example:

In business, people who succeed don’t limit themselves to doing only the tasks to which they are assigned. They constantly look for ways to contribute outside the parameters of their job descriptions. When successful people see a problem, they analyze it and create possible solutions.