Accountability: Foundations of change

“Accountability is the only real beginning to change.” Daniel Abbott

Whether you aspire to be a romance novelist, a fitness trainer, or a botanist, the path to becoming a successful and knowledgeable one, is paved through commitment, resiliency, and a desire for continued growth. These ideals are the pillars for which our personal growth rests safely upon. It is through our commitment to tirelessly pursuing our goals that success is forged. It is through an unwavering resiliency that we can face setbacks, challenges, and resistance and keep pushing forwards. And it is through a continued desire, a passion for learning and growing that we achieve our goals, only to set new, more ambitious ones. The mortar that holds these pillars together is accountability.

Accountability, the focus of the next step in the “From WOLF to ALPHA” process is perhaps the most important. Being accountable for your words, your actions, your thoughts and the emotions they create, your habits, and how you choose to live your life is at the core of becoming an ALPHA. Being an ALPHA means you understand that no one is responsible for your happiness, your health, your wealth, your aspirations, and dreams but YOU. Your wife or husband, mother or father, best friend or colleague can offer assistance, advice, and their time, but they will not always be there, early in the morning before work, or late at night when everyone is asleep, or on your lunch break at work, to encourage you and make sure you/re staying true to what you set out to accomplish.

Take a quick moment and give a “thumbs up” if you feel that you consistently hold yourself accountable and a “thumbs down” if you feel this is an area you can improve in. BE HONEST!

My mother, at an earlier age, was diagnosed with a heart condition that required the implementation of a pacemaker, along with several other supports, including medication for blood pressure and other ailments. She is especially hard working and makes long lists of items that she aims to complete in a timely manner. If it makes the list, you can be assured it is a priority and will get done. When she makes something a priority, she puts the necessary effort and time into doing it and doing it well.

“You put your time where your priority is.” Sebastian Faulks

Recently, she has not been feeling well, and it was noticeable in her demeanor, her energy, and in the shortness of her breath following tasks that should not result in such a state. After investigating a bit further, it was discovered that she had been in AFIB just a few months prior, the machine used to monitor her heart was not functioning properly, and the current medications she was on did not assist in lowering her blood pressure, which remained consistently high. Despite feeling this way, she was ok with waiting until June to see her doctor! It wasn’t until her family pleaded with her to make a few calls, that the underlying issues came to light. My mother’s health and well-being were certainly not on any of her lists. She cannot take care of the people she loves, perform at work, or enjoy her upcoming retirement if she does not take care of herself first and neither can you!

“Your health and well-being should be your number one priority. Nothing else is more important.” Robert Cheeke

Following the revelation of her rather pressing medical needs, my mother has been prescribed a new medication to lower her blood pressure and has seen promising results. Due to the changing off offices, and perhaps just human oversight, her doctor’s office never reached out to address the issue with her home device, which could have resulted in dire consequences if action was not taken prior to her June appointment. This is a lesson that all of us can learn from. We can expect others to do their jobs, play their roles and be responsible for their, and at times, our well-being, however, it is ultimately up to us to do what is necessary to ensure we are living our best and healthiest lives possible. I can text my mother daily, beg her to set reminders to take her medication, to do her exercises, and make time for HERSELF but it is up to her to do it on a consistent basis. Growth and progress are only achievable through a commitment to consistent action.

It is difficult for us to commit to change, if we don’t’ have a reason or justification to do so. In the absence of motivation, excuses and inconsistency take over. For my mother, her motivation to take ownership of her health could be to spend time with her cherished grandkids during retirement. What motivates you? Will you hold yourself accountable, when things get hard? Going to the gym on days you feel good and have the time to do so is easy, going even when you are tired after work and have dinner to cook for the family when you get home, is where resiliency and sustained progress are built.

Some tips to ponder before we get into our activity:

• Be honest with yourself
• Identify areas in your life that you need to prioritize more
• Focus on taking the first step to bring about a change you desire
• Focus on small, incremental progress rather than perfection
• Hold yourself accountable for your goals because no one else will

Below is an activity entitled “Building a Foundation of Accountability” that I want you to try out. Remember, myself and others in your life can provide you with tools, resources, and advice to aide you on your journey, but how and when you decide to use them is entirely up to you!

Thank you for continuing on this journey with me, as we make our way through the “From WOLF to ALPHA” process. Identifying our inner WOLF, during my previous posts, has built the foundation for reaching our ALPHA state. None of this process will make a huge difference in your life, if you are not willing to commit to continued growth and action and, most importantly, holding yourself accountable. Stay tuned for my next post and step in the process entitled, “Letting Go: A Time to Grow.”

written by:

Man With a Plan