For years I thought accountability was something bad.

I was wrong.

After I read this sentence, from the book "The 12 Week Year", It changed my understanding of accountability:

“Accountability is not consequences; it’s ownership.”

Here's how I now understand accountability:

Accountability empowers you.

When you become accountable for your actions, you gain a sense of control. You stop behaving like a victim. You stop letting life happen to you.

Becoming accountable helps you take agency.

It makes you take action.

It makes you take responsibility.

But's easy to sit and say be more accountable.

How do I actually become more accountable?

Here's 3 actions the authors of the 12 week year, Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington, recommend to create greater accountability in your life:

1. Stop being a victim

"Accountability is first a mind-set, then an action. To live your vision, take ownership of your thinking, actions, and results." - The 12 Week Year

When you act like a victim you give away your power.

As we discussed in the previous issue about the State-Story-Strategy framework, acting like this puts you in a victim state. You become passive, problem focused, powerless to the circumstances in your life.

You feel out of control.

When you realise that you're accountable for your actions, your perception or reaction to events, you realise that there are things that you can control.

You gain a sense of power.

2. Don't let disappointment linger

"It’s okay to be disappointed and sad when things don’t go your way, but don’t let that linger and turn into self-pity." - The 12 Week Year

Lingering disappointment leads to Feeling sorry for yourself. Feeling sorry for yourself leads to self-pity. Self-pity leads to depression.

It's ok to feel disappointed when things don't go your way. But don't let it linger.

Learn to control your thinking and your attitude.

Become mentally tough.

3. Do things differently

"If you want different results, then you need to be willing to do things differently and do different things." - The 12 Week Year

Being accountable isn't just about thinking differently.

It's about doing things differently too.

Being accountable means understanding that you have the power to change things. You don't have to wait for things around you to change.

Instead, you can change what you do to make things better for yourself.

Reading about the 3 principles above got some cogs turning in my brain and I'm planning on applying them to improve my accountability.

If you want to read more about this and many more ideas to help you execute better, check out the book “The 12 Week Year “ by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington.

Thank you for being a part of the Marginal Gains community.

Every Sunday I share small simple tips to help you become your best self.

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Check out our previous issues here

Until next week,

Stay Thriving,

Shoaib.