How often a person portrays themself as a victim is a great indicator of how successful they will be.
I mean how often are they the victim who is not in control of their life or future. Do they blame other people, the marketplace, the weather, the stars, for their failures.
Many people are victims of oppressors but, the difference between a hero and a victim is that a victim lies down while a hero rises up and overcomes the challenges.
If you see yourself as a victim other people will either feel sorry for you or feel good about themselves rescuing you. But, you yourself play a role in that.
If you fight for your place in this world. A place where you will succeed others will fight along side you. People love to see a hero fighting to better their lives.
Playing victim often means we are blaming our situation for our shortcomings rather than ourselves.
Professionals can deal with any sort of challenge – even unfair challenges – and still find a way to win. All of us have been treated unfairly some point in our lives, but it's the heroes who overcome their oppressors to accomplish their important mission.
It's true some people have to overcome more than others. But the more you overcome, the greater your heroic story.
I know for myself fighting the victim mentality is often an ongoing battle. Consciously know I am not responsible for all things that happen, but I am completely responsible to how I react to them and what I do to remedy the situation or remove myself from it.
There are real victims in the world who truly need our help. I am a hero on a mission to better myself so I can help them. I'm on a mission to transform my life and the world.
That is why when I join up with a company their values have to align with mine. They have to be on a mission to impact the world.
I invite you to check out The Young Entrepreneur Project who's Mission is not to be the best company in the world, but to be the best company for the world. With a goal of impacting and teaching entrepreneur skills to 100,000 kids with Compassion International.
If you want to read more about being a Value-driven professional I encourage you to read Donald Miller's book Business Made Simple
To Your Success,
Heidi
12 replies to "See Yourself as a Hero, Not a Victim"
This is a powerful message. People who feel that they control things and not be controlled by things that happen can be successful. I like when you talk about being in control of how you choose to react. I often recall in psychology classes way back in college, I learned about the locus of control and how successful people have an internal locus of control. Those people who consistently believe that everything is against them tend to have a external locus of control and feel like a victim.
Thanks for that lesson from psychology. I can totally see how where your focus is that is what you will let have control.
I've known people who were survivors of domestic violence, who have endured years in prison for "conspiracy" charges, who have endured torture, and who have been refugees, and they have become advocates for people who have suffered like they have. It is truly amazing that people who have endured so much find the strength to become leaders and heroes. I don't know how they do it, but they certain do it.
They also have the most powerful stories to help those they are advocating for. It can't be easy but, their lives and those they impact are so much better for it. Thanks for commenting.
Many years ago, a mentor brought this realization to my consciousness. Since then, I've made a great effort to think things through, thus I respond rather than react. When we take responsibility for our actions, change what we can, and leave what we can't to God, our lives are so much more joyful and our stress so much less.
My vision and mission propel me and, like you, I'm careful about who I join up with to do business. Thank you for this timely reminder, Heidi.
Wonderful advice from your mentor!! Definitely makes life more joyful and less stressful!!
Oh, I have heard of Donald Miller. He's the storytelling guy, right? Nice that he is connected to Compassion International now. I think identifying ourselves as the hero of our own story is very important.
Yes Donald Miller is the story telling guy. He has a lot of really great books.
My granddaughter's father is a great "victim", he blames everyone else for all his problems. It's to the point now that people see through him. He left the family, including his children about 10 years ago and even with all the scars that he left on them was hard but they both keep positive and have risen above.
It's an easy way out of responsibility. Unfortunately too many people take that escape. I'm sorry your granddaughter had to be hurt due to his hurts. Hurting people often hurt people unless they make the decision to rise above their circumstances. I hope they can stay positive and take charge of what they do with their futures!! God Bless!!
Heidi, wow! You make powerful points. Even just your opening sentence is a powerful truism: How often a person portrays themself as a victim is a great indicator of how successful they will be. When my life was not working well, I had several "friends" who I later realized were getting great satisfaction out of helping "save" me. I'm glad you mention that group early in your article. Those relationships will not last, as you become stronger and stronger, and your life begins to work better and better. Those people may even try to hold you back, so they can remain superior to you. Certainly they will go away on their own as you achieve success and satisfaction. There is a scripture quote about being more than a conqueror. What we believe about our strength and our possibilities is the base that will sustain us, together with what the Divine is doing behind the scenes to support us.
Thank you so much Kebba – Yes Romans 8:37 "We are more than conquerors through him who loved us." We are Heroes because God is in us!!