Self-Accountability

If you look to some of the most successful humans in this world, you'll find one common thread that ties them all together: self-accountability.

Self-accountability is defined as "an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions". Self-accountability is a key marker to success, and is also linked to reliability and trustworthiness.

To hold yourself personally accountable means to take responsibility for your own actions, instead of the often-more-tempting alternative of blaming and criticising others. Being willingly self-accountable creates an opportunity for us (and those around us) to learn, grow, and come together to solve problems.

This act of personal responsibility may come more naturally to some than others; this typically comes down to how secure or insecure one feels in themselves, because to be self-accountable means to be radically honest with ourselves.

To look into the proverbial mirror at our unfiltered reflections, and to be willing to admit to where we're falling short. This is where true transformative tough love comes in to shake us into change.

Some examples of self-accountability include:

• Taking time for self-reflection to intentionally learn from mistakes
• Admitting to others when you're wrong
• Recognising a problem and acting on it
• Asking for help when you need it

Some examples of NOT taking personal accountability:

• Blaming others for your failures
• Complaining about your problems, whilst taking no steps to solve them
• Denying that issues exist, and just hoping they'll go away
• Refusing to acknowledge when you're at fault

The great news is that self-accountability is a skill, and all skills can be developed, honed, and refined. Your life is ultimate a result of your own actions; the sooner you understand and implement this, the sooner you'll start making and seeing changes.

Some tips to build self-accountability:

• Turn your "Shoulds" into "Musts"; set a goal, decide to stick with it, and see it through to completion.

• Examine the values/beliefs that drive you and, if necessary, change them.

• Get support. Identify a person in your life who demonstrates a high level of accountability, and learn from them.

Best Wishes,

Katie Jonzen