Being accountable is a good thing. Being responsible means taking responsibility for your actions and life in general. You don't have to be perfect. You can take accountability for the mistakes you make and trust your teammates to help you succeed. To make yourself accountable, you must list all expenses carefully. Here are some tips:
Take ownership of your life and actions
The "real world" is filled with freedom and responsibility, but we must learn to take ownership of our lives. We must be the ones who decide what we want and do it. You are the one who decides whether it is worth it to pursue the things you want. No one else can make you do something if you don't want to. Take ownership of your life and start doing things now. If you have failed to achieve your goals, take ownership of your actions and reflect on the reasons. Then, take the necessary steps to overcome your shortcomings and improve.
Avoid making excuses
One of the best ways to avoid making excuses when being held accountable is to take responsibility for your actions. If you blame others for a mistake, you are most likely the one to blame. While you can always work to rectify the situation later, it is best to take responsibility for your actions now. To avoid making excuses when being held accountable, you should track your excuses so you can identify them when they come up. One way to recognize when you are making excuses is to notice triggers in your speech or tone. If you use wishy-washy words, you are most likely making excuses.
Trust in your teammates
Trust is the basis for effective teams. When a person feels that another person is trustworthy, they are more likely to be open, take risks, and reveal their vulnerabilities. Lack of trust limits innovation and creativity, as people tend to focus on protecting their own interests. To restore trust, set clear expectations and explain your reasons for requiring accountability. Then, work to build a culture of openness and honesty. Trust will increase productivity and morale.
List expenses thoroughly
Your budget should show the total amount of money that you have spent in each category. You can use the worksheet as a guide to determine how much money you have available for each category. If you find that your projected expenses are lower than your projected income, you will need to find more money or cut some expenses to make the budget work. List expenses as they occur, and be accountable for your actions. If you need to make a change, consult with the finance committee chair, SPR chair, or treasurer.
Find an accountability partner
You should always find an accountability partner who shares your goal. This way, you can make each other accountable and become more conscientious about your progress. But, it is important to choose someone who will be objective, since they can sometimes interfere with your progress. You should also choose someone who is willing to support you and give you honest feedback. Aside from being helpful, an accountability partner should not impose their own ideas or visions onto you.
