Author: Jason Ray France

Personal Accountability Life Guide:

How do I stop blaming others and take control of my life?

1) Grow up! You would be hard pressed to find anyone that doesn't have issues with their parents. Get over it! It's time to grow up and stop blaming them for your shortcomings! Granted, some issues are more serious than others, but the bottom line is that it's still not worth handing your power over to it.

2) Get real. Sometimes it seems easier to make up stories about why it is impossible for you to get any further in life. As long as you buy into these stories, you'll stay stuck right where you are. You'll find that reality doesn't look so bad once you face it. This is the only way that you'll truly comprehend what you're dealing with and how to best handle it.

3) Own your power. Quit playing the victim! If you don't like your circumstances, figure out how to change it. You can never blame others for where you are in life, but most especially when you are unwilling to take a stand for yourself and choose something different.

4) Be honest. Anyone that accepts your excuses isn't doing you any favors. People will respect you if you admit your mistakes and make a commitment to change it. You can't prevent something from happening if you refuse to recognize your control over it in the first place.

5) Take on your life. Once you've chosen to wake up and take a good long hard look at what you've created for yourself, it's time to take it on. You do this by mustering up your courage and going directly through it. Fear can be paralyzing, but only if you allow it to be.

6) Give yourself a break. You might feel that you should know better than to make some of the silly mistakes that you have. It's all part of the learning process. Don't waste time beating yourself up over it. A big part of being accountable is admitting that you don't have all the answers.

7) Pace yourself. If it all just seems too overwhelming, at least start in the right direction. Beauty isn't always found at the destination. It's sometimes discovered while getting there. Be patient with yourself and don't compare yourself to others. We are all a work in progress.

8) Let go of the ego. Your ego can often get in the way of progress. You may want to appear to have it all together and to be successful in everything that you do. If you need help, don't be afraid to ask for it. That's what friends are for. There are many possible sources of assistance, such as medical professionals, therapists, life coaches, etc.

9) Take Action. If you see something that needs to be done or someone that needs your help, don't wait for someone else to do it. You'll probably be waiting for a very long time. As soon as you feel a prompting, act on it. Otherwise, you will lose an opportunity that could have brought learning and growth.

10) Love yourself enough. It takes courage, awareness, humility, and honesty to be accountable. It also takes loving and trusting yourself enough. Personal accountability results in having self respect and confidence. You will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are honest and trustworthy. These are rare and valuable qualities in today's world.

Pondering Personal Accountability:

1) Why can it sometimes seem difficult to be accountable?

2) Who are some good examples of personal accountability in my life?

3) What are some of the rewards that can come from being accountable?

Example of Personal Accountability: Dr. Phil Mcgraw is one of the best known teachers of personal accountability on the planet. As a matter of fact, he is so direct about it that he wasn't initially well received by the public. Oprah Winfrey met him while fighting cattle ranchers over her infamous beef remark and introduced him on her show. She believes so strongly in his principles that she decided to take a risk and produce a show for him. He has been sharing his no nonsense way of thinking with a national audience ever since. He has written several popular books on many aspects of life enhancement, including weight loss. While some have criticized his simplistic approach, his show continues to go strong and appears to have increased society's overall consciousness. He is the first to admit that his show is not a cure all and encourages ongoing treatment for those that need it.

Personal Accountability Quote: "When you get right down to the root meaning of the word "succeed", you find that it simply means to follow through." -F. W. Nichol

Personal Accountability Challenge: Be accountable by telling someone the truth when you are tempted not to.*

*For more free inspiration, go to Sage Scrolls International at http://jasonrayfrance.webs.com/. Owner, Jason Ray France, is also the Host of the Sage Round Table, and Founder of The Sage Network. To manage his lifelong challenges with anxiety and depression, he specialized in Life Mastery. He teaches that there is wisdom in all of us and promotes a world of healing, openness, and inspiration.