Business By Hormozi #24: The Mirror of Responsibility: A Story of Alex and Jordan

Blame is a powerful thing—it can keep us stuck or set us free. This is the story of two friends, Alex and Jordan, who learned the hard way that the person they blamed the most was the one who had the most control over their lives.

Two Friends, Two Mindsets

Alex and Jordan had been inseparable since college. Both were ambitious, but their mindsets were worlds apart.

Alex was the type to blame circumstances for everything—bad luck, unfair bosses, difficult clients, or even the economy. Whenever something went wrong, there was always someone or something responsible.

Jordan, on the other hand, took a different approach. He had learned early on that blame gave power to others. Instead of pointing fingers, he focused on what he could control.

The Breaking Point

One day, Alex and Jordan both applied for a promotion at their company. They had worked hard, stayed late, and given their best effort. But when the results came in, only Jordan got the promotion.

Alex was furious.

"The manager plays favorites!""I never had the right connections!""They don’t appreciate my work!"

Jordan listened quietly before saying, "If you want to see who has the most control over your life… just look at who you blame."

Alex scoffed. "So you’re saying this is my fault?"

Jordan shook his head. "No, I’m saying that as long as you blame others, you give them control over your future. But if you take responsibility, you can change things."

The Turning Point

At first, Alex dismissed Jordan’s words. But over the next few weeks, something shifted.

Instead of blaming his manager, Alex asked for feedback. Instead of complaining about office politics, he started networking more. Instead of waiting for opportunities, he created them.

Six months later, a new position opened up. This time, Alex got the promotion—not because the company changed, but because he did.

Final Thoughts: Reclaiming Control with Responsibility

The moment we stop blaming others is the moment we take back control of our lives. Blame is a prison, but responsibility is freedom.

"If you want to see who has the most control over your life… just look at who you blame."