[Section] - Integrity
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Understanding consequences supports responsible behavior (Vitality) and follow-through (Perseverance).
Accountability strengthens trust (Interconnectedness) and perseverance in personal conduct (Perseverance).
Taking ownership builds resilience (Perseverance) and critical thinking around actions (Inquiry).
TABLE OF CONTENTs - PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
REFLECT - Self-Reflection Questions To Start The Learning Process
EXPLORE - Core Principles and Concepts About Embracing Personal Responsibility
EXAMINE - Lessons on Liability, Accountability, and Ownership
ENGAGE - Engaging New Ideas and Applying Them in Daily Life
REFLECT
Self-reflection is a powerful tool to increase self-awareness and prepare mentally and emotionally to engage new ideas!
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As you begin to think about personal responsibility in your life, ask yourself the following questions.
When something goes wrong, how do I usually respond?
Why is personal responsibility essential in competitive programs?
What is one area of my life where I know I need to take more personal ownership?
EXPLORE
Build emotional and practical connections to new ideas!
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Personal responsibility is one of the most important skills you will develop in college. It means taking ownership of your choices, actions, and outcomes. As a student-athlete, your days are often busy and demanding. How you manage your responsibilities directly affects not only your success but also the success of your team and those who are counting on you.
Taking responsibility starts with understanding that your schedule belongs to you. Your coaches, professors, and advisors can offer support and guidance, but they cannot make you attend class, complete assignments, or show up for practice on time. Learning how to organize your time, meet deadlines, and plan ahead allows you to stay on track even when your calendar feels full.
There will be times when you fall behind, miss a deadline, or make a mistake. Personal responsibility means facing those situations honestly. Instead of making excuses or blaming others, you take ownership of what happened and work to fix it. Learning to balance your commitments and set priorities allows you to give your best effort where it matters most. This approach not only earns respect but also helps you learn from the experience and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Communication plays a key role in personal responsibility. When you keep your coaches, professors, and teammates informed, they can offer support or adjust expectations when necessary. Hiding problems or avoiding conversations often leads to more stress and fewer options for help. Being open about challenges shows maturity and allows others to assist you effectively.
Accountability is another part of responsibility. This means being reliable even when no one is watching. Whether it is studying for a test, completing a workout, or preparing for a game, you hold yourself to a standard because you know it matters. Over time, this habit builds confidence and trust with others who know they can count on you.
Sometimes, taking responsibility means making tough choices. You may have to sacrifice short-term comfort for long-term goals. Skipping a night out to study or getting extra rest before a competition may not always be fun, but these decisions reflect your commitment to your success and your team’s success.
Personal responsibility shapes your reputation, your relationships, and your future opportunities!
EXAMINE - Liability
Liability is about understanding the real-world consequences of your actions. As a student-athlete, you are responsible for your conduct, your choices, and how those choices affect yourself, your team, and your community.
As a student-athlete, you are personally responsible for your conduct, both during games and throughout your daily life. This includes your behavior, decisions, and adherence to rules and regulations. You are held to a higher standard.
You should understand the risks associated with your program and provide informed consent to participate. This means acknowledging the potential for injuries, seeking treatment for those injuries, and agreeing to accept these risks as part of your athletic involvement.
You have a duty to uphold reasonable self-care when participating in your team or program. This means taking necessary precautions to minimize the risk of injury to yourself and others by making thoughtful choices.
If you're injured during a game or practice, it's your responsibility to seek prompt medical attention and follow medical advice. Failing to do so can worsen injuries and affect liability considerations. These decisions can impact the integrity of your entire team!
Administrators, coaches, and team officials have a duty to provide proper supervision and coaching. They are responsible for ensuring your safety to the best of their ability. But, they cannot do so if you are unwilling to cooperate with their counsel.
It's your responsibility to know and follow the rules of your competition, as well as any team or university policies like the Student Code of Conduct and the Athletics Code of Conduct. Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse for misconduct.
Reckless behavior, such as intentionally injuring an opponent or engaging in dangerous conduct, can and will lead to legal liability and sanctions from your school or competitive organization. These can include penalties, ejections, or suspensions from your program.
Your actions outside of your program can also impact your liability and responsibility. Engaging in illegal activities or misconduct can have consequences for your education, athletic career, and legal standing.
Remember that you are part of a team, and your actions can impact the entire group. Uphold a positive team ethos, support your teammates, and contribute to a healthy and respectful environment.
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EXAMINE - ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountability is about owning your actions, decisions, and their impact on others, whether things go right or wrong. As a student-athlete, your reliability, effort, and honesty shape not only your personal growth but also the success of your team.
Personal accountability means taking full ownership of your actions, decisions, and consequences as a student-athlete. It's recognizing that you are in control of your choices, both on and off the field, and that these choices have a direct impact on your athletic journey, the journey of your teammates, and life as a whole.
As a student-athlete, you and only you are responsible for managing your time effectively to balance academics, athletics, and your personal life. This requires careful planning and prioritization to ensure you meet your commitments both in the classroom and on the field.
Being accountable involves setting clear goals for your athletic and academic performance and working diligently to achieve them. Goals provide direction and motivation, and achieving them boosts your confidence and sense of accomplishment.
Show up consistently for practices, workouts, and team meetings to demonstrate your commitment and reliability. Your presence and dedication impact not only your own progress but also your team's cohesion and performance. Your place in the program matters to everyone!
Learn from failures and setbacks; personal growth often stems from overcoming challenges. Accept that mistakes happen and view them as opportunities for improvement. Embrace resilience and the ability to bounce back from adversity. Accept that team members will also make mistakes and help them learn and grow.
Recognize the importance of teamwork and how your attitude and effort affect the entire team's dynamics and success. Being accountable means fostering positive and meaningful relationships with your teammates, coaches, and support staff, as this contributes to a positive and successful team environment.
Open and honest communication with coaches, teammates, and support staff is essential for accountability. If you encounter difficulties or need help, you must say something! Transparency, communication, and collaboration are key to finding solutions and achieving your goals, personally and as a team!
Being aware and mindful of what you are personally and specifically accountable for will help you grow as a student and as a person in all areas of your life.
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EXAMINE - OWNERSHIP
Ownership means recognizing that your success, growth, and direction are ultimately in your hands. As a student-athlete, taking ownership means setting goals, managing your time, and learning from both wins and setbacks.
Your actions and choices have consequences. Whether it's attending practice, focusing on matches, studying for exams, or making healthy lifestyle choices, understanding that you are ultimately responsible for your own outcomes comes first.
Regularly assess your performance, personally, professionally, and academically. Reflect on what's working well and focus on where you can improve. This self-awareness will guide your efforts towards personal growth.
Success often requires going above and beyond the minimum requirements in the classroom and on the field. Show up to practice early, put in extra study hours, and consistently give your best effort in everything you do.
Failure is a vital stepping stone to success. You will never be able to avoid failure. Analyze why you fell short, make necessary adjustments, and use your setbacks as valuable learning experiences. Help your teammates do their same in their own processes.
You don't have to do it all alone. Either personally, professionally, or academically, the Athletics Department, coaches, professors, and mentors are here to support you! Reach out for advice, tutoring, or guidance when needed, showing trust and initiative in your pursuit of success.
Be open to change and willing to adjust your strategies. Whether it's adapting to a new coaching style, recovering from injury, or modifying your study techniques, flexibility is essential for navigating the challenges that come your way.
Setbacks are part of the process! Developing and maintaining resiliency in the face of adversity will help you bounce back stronger and more determined to succeed. There will be success and there will be failure throughout your entire life, learn to embrace it all!
Acknowledge all of your achievements, no matter how small. Celebrating success fosters a positive mindset, motivation, and a sense of pride in your accomplishments as a college student-athlete. It's a reminder that your hard work will pay off.
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ENGAGE
Please look over the following prompts. You’ll be asked to participate in a short discussion about what you have learned, either individually or in a group, with a REBOOT Coach and/or guest speakers. Think about how these lessons will benefit you most in school, competition, and life!
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QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF :
[Liability]
What are some things in your personal, academic, or athletic life right now that you are directly responsible for? How do you make sure those responsibilities are being met?
[Accountability]
Think about a time when you didn’t meet a goal or expectation. How did you respond, and what did you learn about your role in that outcome?
[Ownership]
What does it mean to you to take full ownership of your actions, especially when something goes wrong? How does that mindset affect your relationships and growth?
QUESTIONS TO ASK OTHERS :
[Liability]
What are some responsibilities you hold in your role, and how do you manage the pressure of being liable for other people’s experiences or outcomes?
[Accountability]
How do you help students or athletes understand the value of being accountable, even when they make mistakes?
[Ownership]
Can you share an example of a time when taking ownership of a difficult situation helped move things forward in a positive way?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES - PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Please look over the following prompts. You’ll be asked to participate in a short discussion about what you have learned, either individually or in a group, with a REBOOT Coach and/or guest speakers. Think about how these lessons will benefit you most in school, competition, and life!
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PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Michael Van Etten - REBOOT - Didactic Tactics LLC - All Rights Reserved