It's Your Choice

by Scott Harper

“Understand that your choices are ultimately yours. You can feel something and not act on it.”

Briana West

February 25, 2026

“He makes me so mad!”

“I can’t believe you made me do that!”

“I would have never acted that way if she hadn’t said that.”  

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How many times have you used phrases like these?

Do you really believe others are at fault for your actions, inactions, words, and thoughts?

When we exhibit poor behavior or attitudes, it’s incredibly easy to shift the blame. Funny enough, we don’t tend to do that with the good things. We humbly take full credit for our praiseworthy reactions, but point fingers through our failures.

Throughout my younger years, I had an embarrassingly bad temper. Well into my twenties, I could justify a temper tantrum with the best of ‘em. By my late twenties, I showed slight improvements, but even into my thirties, I still found myself thinking, “If other people would just . . .,” then my life would be so much better.

Everything changed when I started taking full responsibility for my choices—recognizing that they shaped my behavior and, ultimately, the conditions of my life.

Have you done the same?

If not, are you ready to accept your role in your life?

SHARPER LEADER:

1.      Do you blame others when you get upset?

  • Action Step: The next time you react to something frustrating, pause and reflect. Could you have maintained control over your actions?   

2.      Do you take ownership of your attitude and behavior?

  • Action Step: The next time you feel hurt, offended, angry, or annoyed, try expressing it in a calm and non-accusatory way. (“I feel ______ when you _______.”)

 

3.      Do you have a habit of blaming others for your choices?

  • Action Step: Recognize that blaming others for the choices you make only gives them power over you.   

 

Recommended book: The Mountain is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery by Brianna West

Before next week’s The Sharper Minute: With any negative encounter this week, regardless of how frustrating or hurtful someone is, choose not to react in a way that needs justification and see how free you feel.  

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Lead. Learn. Grow.