Watching a 1997 movie, I witnessed a line of dialogue that really caught my attention. The female star, who had been kidnapped by an evil man but escaped his grasp, informed the lead detective she wanted to help the cops find the bad guy and crack the case. He responded by saying that wouldn’t be a good idea after the ordeal she’d been through. With great indignation, she made this profound statement: “Stop treating me like a victim!”

Wait … she actually was a victim. She’d been victimized by a person with very bad intentions. She’d endured a horrific, terrifying experience — yet she refused to wallow in victimhood.

How much better would our world be if more people told other people to stop seeing them as victims?

How much better would my life be if I didn’t view myself as a victim?

Truth Or Fiction?

Sure, a movie is fictional, but our heroine’s statement carries a lesson for us all. Truly, in the real world, there are countless people who endured everything from growing up in poverty to health/physical challenges to incompetent or absent parents — yet they have gone on to live successfully.

How do some people do that? What is their mental and emotional makeup that enables them to not play the victim card?

What’s Their Secret?

Is it possible these outstanding people know something others don’t? Or do they just live in a way we could all emulate? You know … copy, replicate, do ourselves.

There may not be a “secret,” but there might be a formula. 😎

In that vein, here are 10 actions the person who eschews victimhood practices. Maybe these are their secret.

Be Not A Victim: 10 Practices

1. Work

2. Give

3. Learn

4. Serve

5. Love

6. Focus

7. Commit

8. Own

9. Act

10. Fail

Yes, fail. 😉

Read the list again. Ponder what each verb would look like in your life. In your mind’s eye, visualize what you are DOING in ACTION form when you engage in these.

Truth That Works

If you believe you’re disadvantaged, lack the talent of others, and/or don’t get enough support from people and organizations — what are you going to do about it? I know for me, I have a daily choice: pity myself or get out of my own way to become … a victor.

I’ve heard it said some people are offended when told they are what’s preventing them from living a better life. Maybe that seems harsh, but what’s the option? To ask the world to see me as a victim? Nope, I don’t like that path. I bet you don’t, either.

Remember the truth stated in chapter 5 of the QBQ! book: When I play victim, I serve no one — not even myself.

From our list, which practice(s) must you bring into your life today? Leave a comment!