Word-Of-the-Week #2021: Accountable
March 5, 2026 by Susan Clarke
Accountable – responsible for the outcome or decision that you make.
Do you take responsibility for problems that you may have created? Do you communicate directly and clearly, with honest intention?
This week features the third part of “If You’ve Already Accomplished These 11 Things, You’re More Successful Than An Average Person” by Alexandra Blogier at YourTango.com
To Recap: Everyone defines success differently. Some people measure success by career achievements, money, or material comfort, while others base it on strong relationships, emotional health, and how fulfilled they feel on a day-to-day basis. Success is personal, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to recognize. In fact, there are certain life accomplishments and internal shifts that quietly separate truly successful people from everyone else.
- You show up as your authentic self
- You commit to lifelong learning
- You set goals that actually matter to you
- You approach challenges as opportunities to grow
- You make mistakes and learn from them
- You hold yourself accountable
Holding yourself accountable is an accomplishment that shows you’re more successful than an average person. Most people are terrified to take responsibility for things they’ve done wrong, or things they haven’t done at all. Holding yourself accountable is a sign of success because it shows you’re willing to change.
As psychotherapist F. Diane Barth explains, “Taking responsibility does not mean never making a mistake,” but rather, it means acknowledging your actions and working to show up differently next time, which can positively impact your sense of self.
“Knowing that we can make changes gives us a sense of agency, a feeling of power over what we do and don’t do, and a sense of competence,” Barth concludes.
- You build and maintain a support network
If you’ve built a support network of people who care for you and who you care for in return, you’re more successful than an average person. Investing in your relationships is an indicator of personal success. Research shows that people with strong social connections tend to be happier and healthier, with close relationships boosting life satisfaction and well-being.
Putting in the time and effort to get to know people who will show up when you need support means you’re successful, because you’re harnessing the power of your community. Having a support network means giving when you can give and receiving when you’re in need, both of which are needed.
If you have people in your life who push you to grow, who inspire you, and love you as you are, you’re more successful than an average person.
- You communicate with intention and clarity
If you’re always working to communicate directly and clearly, with honest intention, you’re more successful than an average person. You fully understand that communication is the key to having healthy relationships, but you also know that it’s often harder than it seems to communicate with clarity.
Professor Yvonne K. Fulbright reveals that “the trick is discovering how to express yourself amid the sea of emotions that can quickly submerge your best efforts.” She explains that a major part of strong communication isn’t about what you say, but rather, how you listen.
“Communication needs to be a two-way street,” she shares. “If you expect your partner to hear you out, then you need to make yourself vulnerable to any reaction, especially the need to reflect back on what you’ve just said.”
Staying present in a conversation is as important as taking the space you need to process what’s been said, and expressing gratitude for the connection you have with your partner will always raise your communication efforts to a higher vibration.
This week’s focus is on being accountable. Are you willing to change? Have you built a support network of people who care for you and who you care for in return? Is your communication a two-way street?
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