“People loathe accountability. It’s a dirty word; the very thought of it causes eye-rolling and trepidation. And yet when we create a different perspective on accountability, it actually sets us free.”
Even thinking of being accountable makes some people feel as though someone is judging them. It takes them back to a ‘student-teacher’ relationship, where one person had all the power.
Accountability isn’t about blame or finding wrong. It’s about owning your circumstances and outcomes.
“There isn’t a top athlete in the world who doesn’t either hold themselves accountable and have a great coach to hold them accountable for improvement. No great business outcomes are achieved without feedback and accountability.” No major achievement is ever achieved alone – there are always others that influence and help with making the best decisions to achieve desired goals.
This is where coaching is so beneficial. Once you own your circumstances and your outcomes, only then do you have the possibility of changing them.
“Once you adopt this view, this principle of accountability, you’ll find your results sky-rocket.”
Those who accept accountability also accept responsibility. They don’t make excuses, they don’t blame others, and they don’t have a victim – or ‘poor me’ – mentality.
Think about how empowering this can be. Make a mistake and own the mistake; after all, the mistake was the result of choices you made. Have success and own the success; after all, the success was the result of choices you made.
Of course, there are many factors that contribute to mistakes and successes. Environment, genetics, circumstances, emotions etc all play a role, but each contributing factor does not equal the result. You may just need to make different choices than the next person.
A great accountability coach shares new perspectives to get you to your goals faster and with more ease. “The same is true of your peers. Choose as friends those who are striving for something greater. If they are busy living a life that is accountable to their goals, chances are you will be inspired to do the same.”
So next time you catch yourself rolling your eyes at the idea of being accountable, think about why you want to achieve your goals, and whether you’ve ever been successful achieving something great by yourself.
(quotes from “Wealth Can’t Wait: Avoid the 7 Wealth Traps, Implement the 7 Business Pillars, and Complete a Life Audit Today!” by David Osborn, Paul Morris)