Personal Accountability means making a continuous commitment to yourself and those around you to take conscious ownership of your life and your decisions. It is not a goal to be reached, but rather an ongoing struggle to reject both victim-hood and self aggrandizement.
By acknowledging the areas where you can use improvement, you also allow yourself to take honest pride in your strengths.
'Be the change you would like to see the in world.'
(Gandhi, paraphrased)
We are constantly looking into a mirror, not for clues to who we are, but reassuring ourselves that we are how we want the world to see us. Introspection is the examining and considering your own ideas, thoughts, and feelings. A true mirror, into which you look for revelation, not reassurance.
Stop looking at yourself, look for yourself.
BE CONTINOUSLY INTROSPECTIVE
BE
ACTIVELY NON-JUDGMENTAL
Non-judgmental does not mean 'anything goes'; but it does mean that we rarely know all the factors which go into the choices and lives of others. If you go through life looking for flaws, you will find them. If you go through life looking for beauty, then that is what will be revealed to you.
'I really don't like that man. I must get to know him better.'
(Abraham Lincoln)
We choose the term 'unpack' because conflicts typically have many layers, and it is easy to make assumptions about the motivations of others, rather than giving them the benefit of the doubt. If you want someone else to listen to your perspective, they must first feel like you have understood theirs. However do not shy away from conflict or allow wrongs to go unchallenged; instead view conflict as a puzzle to be solved which will benefit all parties.
UNPACK CONFLICTS CALMLY
RESPECT THE SPIRIT OF THE RULES
In many contexts legality has replaced morality as the first priority in decision making. Far too many people spend far too much time trying to find loopholes, or even 'using' the law to gain an advantage. Not everything which is legal is okay, and people who spend less time worrying about what rules their neighbor may be breaking are generally happier people. And much better neighbors.
Can you imagine a world where 'How much can I get away with' was replaced with 'How much good can I eventually do?
------------------------------------------------
Can you imagine a network who exists solely in order to help its members do more good?
------------------------------------------------
Can you imagine a world where Personal Accountability was the true measure for success?