I get it. Accountability is terrifying. It means facing failure, being wrong, seeking forgiveness—and the scariest thing of all—truly seeing yourself in the mirror.
Sadly, accountability is becoming a lost art. Instead, we bury it under layers of yelling, silence, deception, and avoidance, creating even deeper and more alarming consequences.
But what if we chose accountability? What could really go wrong?
What if you showed up, did your absolute best, and still lost? What if you communicated with the deepest emotional intelligence you had, only to be met with an unexpected response? What if you were an athlete who trained relentlessly for years, only to fall short in the final game?
Again. I get it. That kind of loss stings more than stubbing your toe right before settling in for a movie night with your partner.
But what if we held ourselves accountable before the world forced us to? Imagine looking in the mirror and saying:
"I have done everything in my power to show up, work hard, be empathetic, listen, learn, and give my all. Whether I aim to achieve, love, communicate, teach, play, compete, write, create, or perform—I have been accountable."
Why do we wait for others to judge us? Yes, external feedback is valuable. It highlights what we may have missed, where we could improve, and how we could show up better. But isn’t that what growth is about? Shouldn’t we take the lead in this process?
Preemptive accountability is a radical shift. When we hold ourselves to the highest standard—whether in our work, our relationships, or our creative pursuits—we take power away from fear, shame, and outside judgment. We reclaim ownership of our journey.
By practicing this, we gain the autonomy to filter feedback, refine our approach, and most importantly, grow.
So, before you share your work, express your truth, or step onto any stage—ask yourself:
"Did I do everything I could to prepare, as the best version of myself today?"
If the answer is yes, then, as they say in Lord of the Flies, “You have the conch.”
What great thing will you do next?