The "Not My Fault" Game

The “Not My Fault Game” happens when you pretend you don’t have control over your own affairs. It often sounds like this, “You didn’t wake me up on time!” “You didn’t pack the toothpaste!” “You didn’t remind me that your crazy family was visiting this weekend.”

Here’s another example:

You look outside and say to yourself, “Hmm, it sure does look like rain.” But you don’t trust your instincts so you switch on The Weather Channel, but The Weather Channel is too busy playing scary music and pondering what would happen if a hurricane hit Kansas that they don’t mention your local forecast. At all.

So even though you think it looks like rain, you don’t “burden” yourself with an umbrella because the TV didn’t tell you to. Then, when you get drenched in a torrential downpour you’re mad at the weather person. You blame The Weather Channel because you were too lazy to think for yourself and take an umbrella on a day when it looks like it’s going to rain!

People, keep track of your own schedule. Balance your bankbook. Grab an umbrella. Follow your instincts and stop sloughing your responsibility onto other people. Step up to the plate and think for yourself.