Responsibility can feel like a banner we raise to prove our care and capability.

For many coaches and business owners, it becomes a core part of their identity, a way to prove their worth or maintain a sense of control in their lives.

But what happens when the weight of responsibility becomes overwhelming, when it spills over from one area of life into another, leaving little room to breathe?

I recently worked with someone whose sense of responsibility stretched across their entire life.

It began in their family. They felt a deep obligation to take care of their wider family, often putting their needs aside to ensure everyone else was okay. 

As daily life grew, the sense of responsibility grew too. 

This pattern extended into their work, where they felt responsible not only for their tasks but also for the outcomes of their employees, their clients and the client’s results.  

What drives this sense of responsibility? 

It often starts in childhood, where certain roles are adopted in response to the dynamics within a family.

For some, it’s about earning love (not the higher universal love – but the societal version of love) or approval; for others, it’s about maintaining peace or avoiding conflict. 

This sense of responsibility becomes a way to feel safe, valued, or connected. 

Over time, it can harden into a habit, an automatic way of operating in relationships and environments.

In adulthood, these patterns can blur the boundaries between what is ours to carry and what isn’t. 

Someone might take on more than their share in a relationship, believing it’s their job to keep things running smoothly. At work, they might feel personally accountable for results beyond their control. 

The line between helping and over-functioning becomes harder to see, especially when their identity is tied to being ‘the responsible one.’

This dynamic isn’t random. 

It’s deeply connected to how we’ve learned to connect with others. 

For some, the belief that they must give more, do more, or be more to maintain relationships or prove their worth becomes a guiding principle. 

Others find themselves trapped in the inability to say no, driven by a fear of rejection, judgment, or the thought of disappointing those around them.

In many cases, giving, doing, and being more feel essential to feeling secure or valued in relationships. 

Over time, this can lead to a blurred sense of boundaries, where overextending oneself feels like the only way to maintain acceptance or connection. 

For others, the struggle lies in the discomfort of setting limits, as the worry of how they might be perceived looms large.

In many ways, responsibility often carries an undertone of self-blame or assigning blame to others. 

It can be a quiet, internal narrative where the weight of not being enough takes centre stage. 

This is when the whip comes out, not in the literal sense, but as an unrelenting mental self-punishment. 

It’s the voice that tells you that you’re falling short, the inner critic that keeps you tied to a cycle of over-functioning and self-doubt.

The drive to be responsible isn’t just about doing what’s right, and it’s often tied to a deeper story, one that connects self-worth with the ability to carry the weight of the world. 

But at what cost?

In the end, responsibility is a complex dynamic. It impacts how we show up in the world and how we relate to others, but it can also bind us in patterns of overextension and self-criticism. 

Responsibility isn’t inherently a burden, but when it becomes entangled with self-worth or the need to prove something, it can transform into a heavy, unrelenting weight that shapes our actions and sense of self. 

Understanding this complexity offers you an opportunity to question not only what we carry but why we feel the need to carry it.

With love and light,

Tanya Cross

Last night, I had the privilege of seeing Hamilton with a friend. (Did I mention I’m a bit of a stage show enthusiast?)

It’s more than a musical—it’s a masterpiece. Hamilton is a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the stories we leave behind.

One line in particular struck me deeply:

“How do you want others to tell your story when you’re gone?”

It’s a question that lingers, isn’t it? It makes you pause and reflect on your purpose, your impact, and how you’re shaping your life.

As we step into 2025—a new year and the start of a new quarter-century—it feels like the perfect time to ask ourselves:

• What will the story of the next 25 years be?
• And what has been the story of the last 25 years?
   

Twenty-five years ago, I stood at a crossroads. Should I stay in Melbourne, in a comfortable job, or take a leap into the unknown and move to Queensland?

I chose to leap.

That decision was filled with uncertainty, ambition, and the undeniable pull of my inner knowing. I didn’t have all the answers (and I still don’t!), but I knew I wanted my life to matter.

The path wasn’t easy. There were doubts, obstacles, and tough lessons. But every challenge gifted me with a richer life experience.

It also led me to found MG—a space where I could empower coaches and business owners to unlock their fullest potential.

Looking back, I realise this:

The most significant growth in my life came when I followed my inner wisdom and took bold, aligned action.

So here’s my question for you.

What story do you want to create in the next 25 years?

This isn’t about setting resolutions—it’s about revelations.

Moments of clarity that align your goals with your growth.

As you reflect, consider these questions:

• What truly moves the needle in your life and business?
• What can you let go of to create space for what truly serves your purpose?
• What steps will you take to expand into the next, most aligned version of yourself?

Here’s what I know.

This year is an opportunity to plant the seeds of a story you’ll be proud to have others share.

At MG, we’re here to help you take congruent, purposeful action toward creating the coaching business and life of your dreams.

If you feel a calling to serve…

If you want to create a story worth telling…

If you’re ready to expand to your next level, authentically and with clarity…

Let’s see how we can help you shape your next chapter.

Wishing you a year of courage, clarity, and creation.

With love and intention,

Tanya Cross