Where Does Accountability Come From?

After wasting way too many years of my career toiling in the tax preparation business, I realize that I probably have a bit of a unique perspective on this question/issue.  Sadly, in America today, the word accountability for so many of us ties back to an annual requirement of the federal and state governments that we provide them with an accounting of our income that results in us self-reporting our contribution toward the governmental budget for a particular year.  There is not a person in America that doesn’t understand the significance (or perhaps lack thereof!!) of April 15 each year.  For so many of us, we perform accountability because we are forced to!  When, in reality, accountability is a much more powerful concept that must come from within.  And it has impacts in virtually every facet of our lives – far beyond taxes and even dollars and cents.  Accountability is everything!!  And in recent years, my coaching training and study has shown me that the key to helping individuals to improve their outcomes (their lives) is to teach and institute new levels of accountability that are unique to them, their goals, their habits, their skill sets. 

Accountability comes from a desire, indeed a need, to excel – to thrive.  And the only way to really thrive in life is by identifying those core essentials; whether they be financial goals, relationship goals, family, fitness, faith, whatever it is that makes you uniquely you-at-your-best.  Identify it, measure it, and then account for it.  Work to make accountability part of your routine, as you concentrate on those core essentials, and you will thrive; you will celebrate the results.  Accountability comes from within, and with the caring guidance of an accountability coach, you can easily build the habits and systems into your daily routine that will allow you to finally kick some ass on those core essentials.  Whatever they are!  I don’t care if we are talking about clearing a million dollars in your stock portfolio, or learning how to strum a guitar.  To running your first marathon, or mending your relationship with an estranged family member.  Or dealing with a cancer scare, or a heart attack.  To quitting smoking (or worse), or managing your time better and not allowing all of the ridiculous distractions that exist in life to drain you of your energy and focus.  Accountability is the first step to thriving.  And thriving is a very good thing!