What is a key ingredient to moving to an improved position or state of mind in life? It starts with accountability.
Here is a working definition of accountability:
Accountability – Acknowledged ownership of the choices we make, and the consequences of those choices.
The operative word here is “acknowledged,” as in recognizing and claiming my ownership not only of the choices I make but also of the consequences of the choices. That’s where it starts to get difficult, right?
I mean, come on, who could quarrel with the fact that if it’s a choice I made, I 0wn it? It’s mine. Nobody else made that choice, so nobody else can own it. Could others have influenced me and the choice I made? You bet, but when you get right down to it, they didn’t make the choice. I did. It may be an ugly or silly little choice, but it’s all mine. I own it, for better or worse.
It’s also obvious that for most choices there will be consequences. When I make a choice that yields consequences, regardless of whether those consequences are good, bad, or in between, I own them. I am responsible for them; I am accountable. No, if’s, and’s, or maybes. Accountability – for everyone other than excuse makers apparently – is acknowledged ownership of choices and consequences.
Word of the of the week: Consequence – a result or effect of an action or condition.
Ask yourself: Do you own your choices? If not you, who?
Speaking With a Purpose: “I help you bridge the gap between … Where you are versus where you want to be.” My ultimate goal – help you become a better you!
