Rights or Responsibility?

The word “rights” gets thrown around a lot these days. There's often a lack of focus on the other side of the “rights” coin – “responsibility”.

“I have a right to a good job.” (Really? How much responsibility do you have for earning that job? To be qualified for it? To dress nice, brush your teeth, and show up on time?)

“Everyone has the right to vacation.” (Is that true? How do you know it is true? Do some people have the right to more vacation than others? How much of your responsibility is it to ask for/negotiate your vacation?)

“We all have the right to health care coverage.” (Who is responsible for paying for it? The government? Who is that? Who is responsible for giving the government the money to pay for it?)

Rights and responsibilities. Not as simple as you might think.

Ray Edwards is a world-renowned copywriter and communications strategist, writing for some of the most powerful voices in leadership and business including New York Times bestselling authors Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Tony Robbins. Ray is a sought-after speaker and author, hosts a popular weekly podcast, and blogs at RayEdwards.com.