Mike Oppland, a former professional basketball player turned coach and motivator, approaches personal development with the discipline of an athlete. In Take Responsibility For Your Life, his central thesis is simple: Happiness is not a coincidence. It is not something that happens to you because of luck or favorable circumstances. Instead, happiness is a byproduct of taking total ownership of every facet of your existence.
The author argues that as long as we blame our parents, our bosses, the economy, or “the universe” for our current state, we remain powerless. By accepting responsibility—even for things that aren’t necessarily our “fault”—we regain the power to change them.
The 10 Action Steps
Oppland organizes his book into ten specific action steps. While the book is concise, each step represents a profound shift in mindset.
Chapter 1: Taking Responsibility for Your Perspective
The first step is arguably the most important. Oppland suggests that while we cannot always control what happens to us, we have 100% control over our perspective.
- The Message: Stop viewing obstacles as “walls” and start viewing them as “weight training.”
- Action: Practice reframing. Instead of saying, “This happened to me,” say, “This happened for me to teach me X.”
Chapter 2: Taking Responsibility for Your Goals
Many people live life on “autopilot,” reacting to the demands of others. Oppland insists that if you don’t have a plan for your life, you will inevitably become part of someone else’s plan.
- The Message: Clarity is a responsibility. You must define what a “win” looks like for you.
- Action: Move beyond vague desires. Write down SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
Chapter 3: Taking Responsibility for Your Relationships
We often blame our partners or friends for our unhappiness. Oppland challenges readers to look at the “common denominator” in all their relationships: themselves.
- The Message: You teach people how to treat you.
- Action: Set healthy boundaries and take responsibility for the energy you bring into a room. If a relationship is toxic, you are responsible for staying or leaving.
Chapter 4: Taking Responsibility for Your Decisions
Every “now” is the result of a thousand “thens”—the tiny decisions we made in the past.
- The Message: Stop making “excuse-based” decisions.
- Action: Practice the “Pause.” Before reacting to a situation, take three seconds to choose a response that aligns with your long-term goals rather than your short-term emotions.
Chapter 5: Taking Responsibility for How You Treat Yourself
This chapter focuses on self-care, not as a luxury, but as a duty. If you don’t respect your body and mind, no one else will.
- The Message: Your “inner roommate” (the voice in your head) needs to be a coach, not a critic.
- Action: Audit your self-talk. Replace “I’m such an idiot” with “I made a mistake, and here is how I’ll fix it.”
Chapter 6: Taking Responsibility for How You Treat Others
Responsibility isn’t just about “me”; it’s about the impact we have on the world. Oppland emphasizes that kindness and empathy are choices.
- The Message: You are responsible for the “ripples” you create.
- Action: Commit to one act of intentional kindness daily. Notice how it changes your own internal state.
Chapter 7: Taking Responsibility for Your Career
Are you “stuck” in a dead-end job? Oppland argues that you are the CEO of your own career.
- The Message: Skills are your currency. If you aren’t being promoted, you are responsible for increasing your value.
- Action: Spend one hour a day learning a new skill related to your field.
Chapter 8: Taking Responsibility for Your Development
Growth doesn’t happen by accident. This chapter echoes the “Kaizen” philosophy of continuous improvement.
- The Message: You are never “done.”
- Action: Curate your environment. Follow mentors, read books, and listen to podcasts that challenge your current level of thinking.
Chapter 9: Taking Responsibility for Your Emotions
This is perhaps the most difficult step. Oppland argues that while emotions are valid, they are not “facts.”
- The Message: You are not your feelings; you are the observer of your feelings.
- Action: Use “I feel…” statements instead of “You make me feel…” This shifts the power back to you.
Chapter 10: Taking Responsibility for Your Happiness
The book concludes by tying all steps together. Happiness is a habit, not a destination.
- The Message: If you wait for everything to be “perfect” before being happy, you will never be happy.
- Action: Practice daily gratitude. Write down three things you are responsible for that brought you joy today.
Special Guide: How to Memorize Scripture for Mental Discipline
While Mike Oppland focuses on psychological resilience, many readers find that Scripture Memory is a powerful tool to reinforce these principles. If you want to take responsibility for your spiritual growth, memorizing key texts can “reprogram” your mind.
Why Memorize Scripture?
In the context of Oppland’s book, scripture serves as the “anchor” for your perspective. When life gets chaotic, having a stored bank of truth allows you to respond with responsibility rather than fear.
The 5-Step Scripture Memory Method
- The First Letter Method: Write out the verse you want to learn. Then, on a separate card, write only the first letter of each word.
- Example: For “I can do all things through Christ,” write: I c d a t t C.
- Try to recite the verse looking only at the letters. This forces your brain to “retrieve” the information rather than just “recognize” it.
- The “Loci” or Memory Palace Method: Associate a verse with a physical location in your house.
- Imagine the “Perspective” verse is on your front door.
- The “Relationships” verse is on your dining table.
- As you walk through your house, “see” the verses in their spots.
- The Verse Mapping Technique: Take a single verse and break it down. Look up the original Greek or Hebrew meanings, the historical context, and how it applies to “taking responsibility.” Understanding the why makes the what easier to remember.
- Habit Stacking: Connect your memory work to an existing habit. Recite your verse while brushing your teeth or during your morning coffee. This uses Mike Oppland’s principle of “Taking Responsibility for Your Development” by utilizing “found time.”
- Audio Reinforcement: Record yourself reading the verse and listen to it on your commute. The combination of seeing, writing, speaking, and hearing is the “Gold Standard” for long-term retention.
What is the Central Message the Author Wants to Convey?
The core message of Mike Oppland is Empowerment through Ownership.
Oppland wants to convey that the “Victim Mindset” is the ultimate prison. When we blame others, we are essentially saying that someone else has the keys to our happiness. By taking responsibility—for our failures, our successes, and our current emotions—we take the keys back.
He emphasizes that responsibility is not a burden (something you have to do); it is a privilege (something you get to do because it means you are in control).
Analysis & Review: Is “Take Responsibility For Your Life” Worth the Read?
The “Pros”
- No Fluff: Oppland writes with an athletic “coach-like” tone. He doesn’t waste time with flowery prose; he gets straight to the actionable steps.
- High Accessibility: The book is short (around 30-40 pages in many editions). It’s perfect for someone who wants a “reboot” in a single afternoon.
- Holistic Approach: It covers everything from career to emotions, ensuring that you don’t just fix one area of your life while ignoring others.
The “Cons”
- Briefness: Some may find it too short. If you are looking for deep neurological studies or 500-page philosophical treatises, this isn’t it.
- Self-Driven: This book requires the reader to actually do the work. There are no “magic pills” here.
The Verdict
Take Responsibility For Your Life is an excellent entry point for anyone starting their personal development journey. It serves as a “mental manual” that you can return to whenever you feel the urge to blame the world for your problems.
Key Insights: How Responsibility Impacts Your Life
Area of Life | The Victim Approach (Blame) | The Responsible Approach (Ownership) |
Perspective | “Why does this always happen to me?” | “What can I learn from this situation?” |
Career | “My boss doesn’t recognize my value.” | “How can I become so good they can’t ignore me?” |
Relationships | “They make me so angry.” | “I am responsible for my reaction to their behavior.” |
Happiness | “I’ll be happy when I get a raise.” | “I am happy now because I choose to be grateful.” |
Practical Application: A 7-Day “Responsibility Challenge”
To truly benefit from Mike Oppland’s teachings, try this one-week challenge:
- Day 1 (Perspective): For 24 hours, do not complain about anything (even the weather).
- Day 2 (Goals): Define your top 3 goals for the next 90 days.
- Day 3 (Self-Treatment): Get 8 hours of sleep and eat three healthy meals.
- Day 4 (Decisions): Before every decision, ask: “Does this lead to the life I want?”
- Day 5 (Relationships): Express gratitude to someone who has supported you.
- Day 6 (Development): Read 10 pages of a book or memorize one scripture verse.
- Day 7 (Happiness): Write down 10 things you are responsible for that made this week better.
Conclusion: Becoming the Creator of Your Story
Mike Oppland’s Take Responsibility For Your Life isn’t just a book summary you read and forget. It is a call to action. By moving from a “passive observer” to an “active creator,” you unlock a level of freedom most people never experience.
The author’s message is clear: The door to your future is locked from the inside. You hold the key. Whether you use that key to stay in the comfort of your excuses or step out into the responsibility of your potential is entirely up to you.
FAQs
Q1 Is this book religious or spiritual?
A It blends faith with practical life lessons without being preachy.
Q2 Can beginners benefit from this book?
A Absolutely. It’s simple, clear, and actionable.
Q3 Does the book focus on mindset or action?
A Both. Mindset fuels action.
Q4 Is scripture memorization mandatory to benefit?
A No, but it enhances inner discipline.
Q5 What makes this book different from other self-help books?
A Its emphasis on responsibility over motivation.