The 'Uncle Ben' rule

Whether or not you're a Marvel / Spider Man fan, you might know this quote: With great power comes great responsibility. (If you don't, it's something Peter Parker's uncle Ben says to him that becomes a core value for him in his role as Spider Man.) I love the quote, and I wish more people in today's world followed that guideline.

Beyond that, I think there’s a corollary that relates to an area many of my clients can struggle with (boundaries): don't take responsibility for things that you don't have authority over. That might be your co-worker's tasks, your partner's mood, or any number of other things.

When these are misaligned, it's inevitably a source of frustration, distress, and resentment. If it's being done to you at work, it's a sign of a dysfunctional environment you might not want to stay in. If it's something you're doing to yourself, it's an opportunity for some pretty powerful work that'll make a big difference in the stress and conflict you experience in your life.