Freedom with Accountability: Surprising but True

What comes to mind when you think of being accountable? You might be surprised to know that accountability can lead to freedom! Let’s clear away some of the misunderstandings and explain this unexpected connection.

Improper Approaches to Accountability

Many people believe that accountability means having boundaries enforced upon them. They often view it as a weapon used by those in authority to find fault and affix blame. They might also think that accountability only goes in one direction—from the top down.

Other people might regard accountability as their only hope to have appropriate thinking and behavior in their lives. They say, “I need someone to hold me accountable, or I will fail.” But this mindset makes individuals dependent upon others and attempts to shift personal responsibility to others.

Thankfully, there is a healthier view of accountability that values both personal responsibility and accountability to others. Those who practice this mindset find many benefits of freedom.

Freedom Through Personal Responsibility

Each person is responsible for their choices and actions. Personal responsibility inspires you to improve your life according to your values and desires. Change is possible, and you do not have to settle for less than what you are willing to work to achieve. Each person is free to do their best for their own sake.

Accountable people find freedom from anxiety, guilt, and shame when they do what they know to be good and desirable. Because you know what you want and have a plan to accomplish it, you do not need others to enforce decisions upon you or restrict your behavior.

This mindset also frees you from the burden of being responsible for others to choose what is in their self-interest. It honors personal responsibility, acknowledging that people are ultimately responsible for their own choices and actions, not those of others. We ought to help one another, but responsible people recognize that they cannot force others to do what they are unwilling to do for themselves.

Freedom Through Accountability to Others

When joined with personal responsibility, being accountable to other people is a proven way to find freedom from bad habits, addictions, and distractions. It is a powerful asset to help you pursue the goals you define for your life.

Accountability to others can benefit you in many more ways as well. These are just some of the ways it can serve you:

• Helps you develop a clear path forward to improve your life and places you with others who can help you clarify an action plan.
• Leads you to learn from past mistakes while helping you avoid them in the future.
• Improves your life by building self-confidence and self-control and helps you be true to your desires and values.
• Reinforces humility, a teachable attitude, and a proper view of self while also promoting your integrity and maturity.
• Shows that you can make your own decisions and develops trust from others, so they do not feel the need to restrict your choices and actions.
• Clarifies commitments you have made, shapes expectations of others, and encourages you to fulfill them.
• Enhances relationships through open and regular communication.
• Inspires you and keeps you on track to success while stimulating creative problem solving and new experiences.

Yes, accountability is a powerful tool that you will want to have on your side.

Summary

You have it within your power to improve your life in meaningful ways. Find the freedom that comes from personal responsibility and accountability to others. Once you have experienced it for yourself, be sure to inspire others to pursue their successes through accountability.