The Power of Not Yet- Circle Starts Here, Blame Vs Accountability

My father instilled in me a "profound and radical sense of accountability." We are not talking about your average run-of-the-mill sense of responsibility here. Responsibility is task-oriented. Tasks can be assigned or shared, like a child's sticker chart or a "box-and-1 defense" at a high school basketball game. The players all have responsibilities; the coach is accountable for overseeing the implementation of the play (I was an off-guard if anyone is wondering...). Accountability is what happens after a situation has occurred. It is how you respond and take ownership of results. Profound means far below the surface, deep or reaching great depths, and radical means change at the root cause of a matter. Well, in my father's opinion, I was always the root cause in any matter. 

Abstracting this, having a profoundly radical sense of accountability means that someone takes responsibility for their actions and decisions to an extreme degree. It implies that the individual goes beyond the usual or conventional levels of accountability and holds themselves to very high standards. They are not just willing to accept responsibility for their actions; they are actively committed to ensuring they are held accountable for every aspect of their behavior, choices, and impact on others. This level of accountability often involves a deep commitment to transparency, integrity, and a willingness to face consequences or make amends when they fall short of their responsibilities. When the going gets tough, the tough hold themselves accountable. 

Ask yourself. When things go wrong, is your default position to push the problem away and blame others, or is it to take it all in, decipher your accountability, and work towards changing actions to impact future results? Blame shifting comes from a position of weakness, a lack of control. Accountability is an extension of confidence and an unwavering trust in abilities to make sound decisions and handle challenges effectively. I know it sounds like a heavy weight to carry. But oddly enough, I grew up feeling empowered.

As far back as I can remember, I have had these little sayings in my head that have deep meaning and carry me through "challenging" times. I don't know if I made them up or pilfered them along the way (you can't prove anything), but nonetheless, they exist. The 'circle starts here' is a standard sacred text that plays on a loop in my head when trying to sort things out, and it captures the essence of personal accountability, even in a professional environment. The circle starts when you realize you have the power to control, if not your life, at least your reactions.

In any part of my life, when I am not getting the results I want, the "circle starts here" plays in my head on a loop, like an earworm 80's song after a short elevator ride (it's always an 80's song. I am not complaining, just stating facts). This is followed by a short question and answer session with myself: Why am I not getting the results I want? What culpability do I have in this? What could I have done to get to where I wanted to be? Am I choosing the right people to share this experience with? Am I expecting more than I should or more than others can give? What changes can I make to influence the outcome and circumstances moving forward? Why can't I get this song out of my head? You get the idea!

Being accountable enables me to take control of my life, and I rely on my judgment and values to guide my choices rather than seek external validation or approval. I strive to consistently meet my objectives, uphold my values, and deliver results. Accountability fosters my personal growth, resilience, confidence, and self-reliance, ultimately leading to a greater sense of peace about my decisions and the trajectory of my life. It is also essential for building trust in both personal and professional relationships for several reasons:....Continue reading by obtaining a FREE Copy of our book after taking the Book Marketing Quiz, or you can click the link and purchase a copy (psst...we suggest the FREE route!).