A thriving business requires a good balance of strategy, dedication and commitment. Having a great idea and putting in some effort is no longer enough. To stay relevant, we need to know how to keep up with the pace of the evolving business landscape. Otherwise, we risk being left behind or left out entirely. This fear of being stuck often causes us to take on too much. We overwhelm ourselves, making it difficult to keep our commitments. Before we know it, we are lost in the hustle and bustle, struggling to keep up with our goals. Ironically, ours desire to succeed sometimes it can be our biggest obstacle. Instead of facing our challenges, we end up taking a few steps back. Why are we sabotaging our success?

Honestly, no matter how hard we try to manage everything, there will always be things that fall through the cracks. This means that we will not always be able to deliver results 100% of the time. In moments like this, accountability it is the best weapon at our disposal. It's what keeps us on track and keeps us moving forward. However, it is also the one thing we often struggle with the most. Even when we want to be responsible, it just doesn't seem to happen. What is stopping us? Why is accountability such a challenge for so many of us? What is the real reason why we struggle with it?

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culprit

Being accountable is hard, but the real reason we struggle may be simpler than you think. It's not because we're lazy or bad at time management. Our lack of accountability stems from a failure to understand our basic human nature. If you take a look at what we are wired to do, you will find that we naturally avoid things that are difficult or uncomfortable. Our brains are wired to seek pleasure, not pain. And being accountable isn't comfortable, so naturally, our mind creates a barrier between us and accountability. This obstacle is often referred to as our ego.

Our ego serves as a defense mechanism by creating a comforting illusion of control and competence in our lives. It is our mind's way of protecting us from the harsh reality of our shortcomings. Whether we are aware of it or not, it creates resistance that affects how we handle our commitments. When we face challenges or risk falling short of expectations, our ego steps in to protect our self-worth. As a result, we cling to excuses and justify our every obstacle. This desire to protect our self-image causes us to repeat the same avoidance behavior until it becomes a habit. Relying on our ego to protect us at all times affects how we run our business.

In research by Yin et al., published in the January 2022 issue of Social Psychological Science and Personality, it is shown that powerful individuals or people in key positions are likely to blame others rather than take responsibility. This is because as humans, we prefer to point fingers rather than face our problems. We would rather be in denial than let other people know that we are struggling. Let's be honest, at some point in our lives, we are guilty playing the blame game just to feel better. However, this cycle of ego-driven behavior only leads to self-sabotage in the long run. So if we are conditioned to avoid worry, how can we hold ourselves accountable?

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Breaking the barrier

The good news is that while our egos may prevent us from being accountable, that doesn't mean we're doomed to fail. Once we identify this barrier and understand its impact on our behavior, we can take steps to overcome it. Here are some ways to start destroying your ego:

Understand what accountability really means:

One of the biggest misconceptions about accountability is that it equates to perfection. Many of us believe that to be responsible, we must follow through on our commitments and make no mistakes. Instead of making ourselves better, we end up becoming perfectionists and punish ourselves at the sight of a mistake. This makes us associate responsibility with punishment. In the long run, it suffocates us until we no longer have the sense to separate punishment from responsibility.

This belief could not be further from the truth. We are not gods. In reality, we are bound to make mistakes, and that's okay. We just need to understand that responsibility means that we are responsible for our mistakes. It means we can to admit our mistakes, learn from them and commit to doing better next time. With this shift in our understanding, we don't have to beat ourselves up every time we make a mistake. Now we can think more clearly and use it as an opportunity to address issues without fearing our mistakes.

Learn to embrace worry:

Just knowing what our ego can do is not enough to be responsible. We must be able to embrace the discomfort and we allow our ego to take a back seat. For this to happen, big changes are needed. However, making changes is not easy to do. Not many can abandon their beliefs and embrace the changes that come with accountability. Without the will to change, it will be difficult to commit and become accountable. This is usually because we have conflicting desires within ourselves—one that pushes us to be better and one that pulls us toward comfort. This creates a conflict in our minds, making it difficult to take consistent action. If we really want to move forward, we must resolve this inner conflict and accept that worry is part of our journey to becoming responsible. But how do we go about doing this? What makes accountability uncomfortable in the first place?

Accountability works as a mirror. It reflects everything, including things we don't want to see. It shows us not only the good parts, but also the flaws and imperfections. Noticing our mistakes shows the difference between what we claim we can do and what we can actually do. This realization can be uncomfortable, as it often triggers our desire to avoid shame and guilt. However, we must understand that these emotions are not enemies, but indicators that we are invested in our success and personal development.

We should not be uncomfortable with it and we should learn how to accept it. Acceptance does not guarantee an easy path, but it gives meaning to every difficult step taken towards growth. So the next time you feel uncomfortable with responsibility, try to embrace it instead of shunning it. It is a sign that you are progressing towards a more responsible person.

Lean on the right people:

Let me tell you a simple fact: No one can be solely responsible. While commitment can be an individual effort, becoming accountable requires support from the right people. Just as a tree needs strong roots to grow, we need a strong network of individuals who are willing they ask us to account. These people cannot be anyone, because our responsibility also depends on who holds us accountable.

When it comes to choosing the people we surround ourselves with, it is essential to choose individuals who are not only confident in themselves, but also have big visions for the future. People who are confident provide a stable and supportive environment where vulnerability is not only accepted but encouraged. This safe space is essential for fostering accountability, as it allows us to openly share our challenges and obstacles without fear of judgment.

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Additionally, surrounding ourselves with visionaries who dream big and aim high inspires us to raise our aspirations and reach beyond. comfort zones. These individuals serve as living proof that great things are possible, prompting us to pursue our goals with renewed energy and commitment.

And most importantly, you need a person who is willing to tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear—a person who can hold you accountable for your actions and decisions, no matter how uncomfortable it can be. Because without someone to keep us in check, we can easily slip back into our old ways and continue to let our ego dictate our behavior.

True accountability is not a corporate initiative that can be driven from the boardroom. It is a deeply personal commitment to master every part of our lives. It really is easier to avoid responsibility and continue to live in the bed of our excuses. At the end of the day, though, making a conscious effort to choose accountability is like choosing yourself. It's being true to your word and taking responsibility for your own growth.

So don't let your ego hold you back. Embrace the challenge and create your ideal results through accountability. After all, there is no greater reward than turning your life around and achieving success on your own terms. So go ahead, take the first step towards responsibility and watch your life transform for the better.