Mastering self-accountability: Practical tips to improve focus and stay disciplined in our path

I remember when I started working as a customer service executive almost a decade ago. It was my first stint in the corporate world. I found the job extremely challenging and I struggled to find my footing. In a matter of two months, I was unhappy, depressed and miserable. Most of the times, I would blame everything else for my struggles, saying things like, “The corporate world is just like this,” or “Bad things happen to good people.” I believed that everything around was responsible for my unhappiness and fell into this cycle of blaming others.

But looking back, I realise that I wasn’t taking responsibility for my part in it. Instead of making changes, I stayed stuck in a job I didn’t enjoy, I didn’t pursue opportunities or shift to a career path that I was interested in. Instead, I was constantly complaining and blaming. After years of learning, I have now understood that mastering self-accountability is the key to overcoming these struggles.

Taking control of our own actions and staying disciplined no matter what is the key to achieving our goals. So, let’s explore how to do so in order to master self-accountability and win in life.

Be honest with yourself

A lot of us tend to be on the defensive. When something goes wrong, we point fingers at others or blame external factors instead of thinking how we may have been in the wrong. Although it’s natural to avoid accountability, having such a mindset doesn’t help us grow. So, the first step towards mastering self-accountability is to be honest with yourself.

Ask yourself the tough questions: Are you really putting in the effort? Are you procrastinating? Are you making excuses? Honesty helps you assess where you stand and whether you’re moving in the right direction or not. When you acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses, you allow yourself to make progress and achieve your goals.

Embrace your mistakes

There is often a certain amount of shame associated with making mistakes, especially when things don’t go as planned. For instance, you invested in a small business that didn’t work out. Your dear ones like friends and family members might then say, “I told you so” or remind you of the risks you should have avoided. During such times, it’s easy to feel like a failure. However, it is essential to understand that mistakes are a natural part of growth.

Instead of feeling defeated, you must view mistakes as opportunities for learning. By accepting your mistakes as part of the process and learning from them, you give yourself permission to keep moving forward without fear.