I just recently finished a book that brought up a very valid point which I feel is highly overlooked in many things done today. But it is one that if embraced could bring about a considerable change in the world and in how we interact with others. It is also, in my opinion, the most critical key to success.
I first started to see this particular trait lacking, as early as elementary school even though I would come home and I just couldn’t understand. I don’t think it fully clicked until high school. Now I see example after example where this particular trait is not only lacking but missing altogether. (I also see those that have fully embraced it.)
I’m sure at this point you’re just like “Ah Elizabeth! What is this trait? Just tell me already!” The trait is Personal Accountability. This trait if enacted has the ability to change how many things are done. Including how people perceive each other and how situations are handled, and problems are solved.
For example, going through school, I would see and hear about parents coming into school and saying “my little Jimmy doesn’t deserve this grade!” Well, I can tell you, having been in the same classes with their “little Jimmy,” that he did indeed earn the grade he deserved. It was Jimmy who made a choice not to study hard; it was he who decided to goof around in class and not pay attention, it was Jimmy who chose not to complete all the homework assignments. The parents have not done Jimmy any favors when he hits adulthood by not teaching him to be accountable for his actions. I was raised that if I got a bad grade and I clearly didn’t study thoroughly that the only person I could blame was myself. Why? Because I made a choice not to put the time into studying.
Another example, I have a friend who’s notorious for not taking personal accountability. They text and drive (illegal you say? I know!) yet they would then proceed to say when they rear-ended cars that the car stopped too quickly or out of the blue. At last count, they had been in around six accidents. Now a couple of those were ones where they were rear-ended, and the others were ones where they did the rear-ending. Each time when I ask what happened their response has been, especially when they rear-ended a car, “well they just stopped out of the blue! It wasn’t my fault!” I know from the few times as a passenger that this was indeed not the full story. See they almost rear-ended someone while I was a passenger and the reason why was because they were busy texting on their phone. I know this was not an isolated incident that I observed. This is indeed another example of a lack of personal accountability. If one is paying full attention to the task at hand, in this case, driving, things aren’t just out of the blue. (Unless of course, something falls from the sky or something similar.)
Think of your own life…Can you think of any times where you lacked personal accountability for your actions or outcomes? Be brutally honest with yourself. Acknowledging it is the first step we as humans can take to change.
Think of the world as a whole. Can you pinpoint examples of people lacking personal accountability? If they took responsibility for their actions and choices what do you think would happen?
I want to give you an example of a guy who took personal accountability for his actions. His name is Joe Polish. He was in the depths of deep drug addiction when he realized the only one responsible was himself. He knew at this point that his future was his to control and create and he is not an entrepreneur who has built numerous very successful businesses and is friends with people like Richard Branson. He took personal accountability for his life and his actions.
What would be the difference in your life if you took more personal accountability for your actions, thoughts, etc.?
I think the author Andy Andrews says it best in his book The Travelers Gift the first decision for success is that “The buck stops here. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success.”
Life is a series of choices, and we are the only ones who can determine our own future.
I challenge you to take an honest look at your life and make the choice to be personally accountable for your past, present, and future!
I also highly recommend reading The Travelers Gift by Andy Andrews. It is not a long read and has excellent insight.
If you know anyone who would find this post interesting, please don’t hesitate to pass it along!
