Take ownership!
Taking your place in the driver's seat
When was the last time you took full ownership of your life—your decisions, your mistakes, and your growth? Life will place challenges and diversions to our plans, but the strength of ownership is how we adapt and respond.
Ownership isn’t about control over everything that happens to you. It’s choosing to see yourself as the driver, not the passenger, in your own life. Ownership means stepping up to claim responsibility for your actions, your outcomes, and the changes you want to see.
What to take ownership of though?
Ownership is like having a blank canvas for our life, where we can design how we want it to be, what outcomes to reach as time goes by.
As we zoom out on this canvas, we realise it’s actually not blank at all, there is a lot going on that is out of our control. However there is one area where we can take full ownership.
In his book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey introduces the Circle of Influence which we’ll use here to guide us to pick the right initiatives for effective ownership.
Conscious or Default Ownership?
As we consider what ownership we already take in our lives, our Default Ownership Zone tends to span multiple circles of concern as shown in the image below. Let’s look through a few examples:
Taking ownership can sometimes default to grand, meaningful goals in our Circle of Concern, like slowing down global warming. While global warming is undoubtedly a pressing issue, trying to singlehandedly solve it is an overwhelming task that may lead to burnout before yielding any meaningful impact.
Shifting focus to areas that directly impact daily life, such as improving communication in relationships, brings ownership closer to home. This falls within our Circle of Influence—we can control how we express ourselves, but we cannot control how others respond or whether they reciprocate better communication.
The most effective ownership resides in our Circle of Control, where we focus on what we can directly manage: our own behaviors, attitudes, and choices. By striving to improve ourselves without tethering success to external factors—like the actions or reactions of others—we set ourselves up for sustainable growth and achievement.
To practice meaningful ownership, we must transition into a Conscious Ownership Zone within our Circle of Influence. This means acting with awareness of our influence, while staying grounded in what we can realistically control.
This isn’t about abandoning ambitious goals like improving communication or addressing global issues. Rather, conscious ownership helps us set realistic expectations for the outcomes within each circle. By aligning our success measures with what we can influence and control, we lead ourselves more effectively. The more we master our Circle of Control, the more we can effectively expand into our Circle of Influence.
Why Ownership Matters
Ownership thrives through proactivity. It requires us to be attuned to our surroundings and focus on areas where our efforts can create meaningful improvements. When we concentrate on things beyond our control, we risk falling into a reactive mindset—generating noise without fostering real change.
1. Clarity Over Blame
Blame is a natural reaction when things go wrong. Deadlines missed? “The team wasn’t on board.” Habit broken? “Life got too busy.” While external factors can play a role, staying in blame mode limits your growth.
Ownership shifts the conversation from, “Who caused this?” to “What can I do about it?” By owning your part in any situation, you gain clarity. You see where your influence begins and ends, empowering you to act effectively instead of simply reacting.
2. Empowerment Through Action
Ownership turns “I wish” into “I will.” Instead of waiting for better circumstances, you start taking deliberate steps to create them. This isn’t about striving for perfection—it’s about being consistent. When you fall short, ownership means asking, “What’s one adjustment I can make?” rather than waiting for motivation to come along.
3. Building Trust in Yourself
Trust in yourself grows when you follow through on commitments, even the ones you make privately. Ownership strengthens that trust. By taking responsibility for both your progress and setbacks, you build the confidence to pursue larger goals and take bigger risks. Over time, self-trust becomes the foundation for lasting growth and resilience.
How to Practice Ownership
1. Acknowledge the Current Reality
Start by assessing your life honestly. Where have you avoided ownership? Is it in your health, relationships, or professional goals? Let go of areas where your control is limited, and redirect your energy to places where you can truly make a difference. This clarity is the first step toward meaningful change.
2. Observe Your Choices in Areas In Your Control
Life is a series of small decisions that add up over time. From what you eat to how you spend your time, these choices shape your day-to-day reality. Practice saying, “I chose this,” even when the outcome isn’t perfect. This simple acknowledgment reinforces your ability to make deliberate, empowered decisions.
3. Redefine Failure
Taking ownership doesn’t mean avoiding mistakes—it means learning from them. Instead of fixating on what went wrong, ask yourself, “What can I learn, and how can I apply that next time?” With this mindset, failures become stepping stones to growth.
4. Seek Feedback
Ownership doesn’t mean doing everything alone. Growth often comes from seeking insights from others. Trusted colleagues, friends, or coaches can provide valuable feedback. Listen with an open mind and use their input to refine your actions without defensiveness.
The Shift Starts With You
Ownership begins with taking responsibility for your path. It’s not about controlling every detail but about owning your approach to challenges and opportunities. When you focus on what you can control and work to influence what you can’t, your energy aligns with what truly matters.
So, ask yourself today: Where can I take more ownership in my life? Start small, and watch your confidence, resilience, and sense of purpose grow.
Ownership isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a daily practice. But the results are worth it: a life where you’re firmly in the driver’s seat.