Are You Showing Up for Yourself? A Deep Dive into Self-Accountability

Have you ever stopped to consider how you're showing up for yourself? It's a question that might seem strange at first, but it's one that can lead to profound insights and powerful changes. In this blog post, we're going to explore this concept in depth, using a simple but effective thought experiment involving two versions of you—an employee and a manager.

By the end of this post, you'll have a new perspective on your actions and habits, and you'll be equipped with practical strategies to increase your self-accountability. So, are you ready to dive in? Let's get started.

The Employee-Manager Thought Experiment

Imagine there are two versions of you. One is the employee, the one who does the work. The other is the manager, the one who oversees the work and makes sure it's done correctly and efficiently. Now, let's take this thought experiment a step further.

Step 1: You as the Manager

First, put yourself in the shoes of the manager. As the manager, you pay the employee (which is also you) a wage. You expect them to show up and do the work. You rely on them to bring results that justify their employment. All of this seems pretty reasonable, right?

As the manager, you have certain expectations and standards. You want the employee to be productive, to contribute to the company’s goals, and to be a valuable member of the team. You're not asking for anything unreasonable—just for the employee to do their job and do it well.

Step 2: You as the Employee

Now, switch roles. Become the employee. Look at what you're doing right now. Consider what you've spent the past hour, or the past day, doing. Are you meeting the expectations of the manager? Are you doing your job and doing it well?

If the manager version of you was in the room right now, what would they say? Would they be satisfied with your performance, or would they have some constructive criticism? This is where the thought experiment gets really interesting—and potentially quite revealing.

The Power of Self-Accountability

What this thought experiment highlights is the power of self-accountability. It’s easy to spend time doing things that seem relevant or important, but are they really? Or are they just forms of “positive procrastination”—activities that feel productive but don’t actually move us closer to our goals?

Recognizing Positive Procrastination

Positive procrastination is a tricky beast. It’s not like traditional procrastination, where you're clearly avoiding work by watching TV or scrolling through social media. Instead, positive procrastination involves doing things that feel like work, but aren't actually helping you make progress.

For example, you might spend hours organizing your workspace, researching new productivity tools, or planning out your tasks for the next week. While these activities might seem productive, they're not actually getting you any closer to completing your goals.

Overcoming Positive Procrastination

The key to overcoming positive procrastination is to be brutally honest with yourself. Are you really being productive, or are you just busy? Are you making progress, or are you just spinning your wheels?

Remember, the manager version of you expects results, not just effort. So, make sure you're focusing on the right things—the tasks and activities that will actually move you closer to your goals.

Showing Up for Yourself

At the end of the day, this all comes down to showing up for yourself. It’s about being accountable to yourself, meeting your own expectations, and doing the work that needs to be done.

The Importance of Self-Accountability

Self-accountability is crucial for success in any area of life. Whether you’re trying to advance in your career, improve your health, or achieve any other goal, you need to be able to hold yourself accountable.

Without self-accountability, it’s easy to fall into the trap of positive procrastination, to get caught up in busywork, and to lose sight of what really matters. But with self-accountability, you can stay focused, stay productive, and keep moving forward.

How to Increase Your Self-Accountability

So, how can you increase your self-accountability?

• Use the employee-manager thought experiment regularly. Make it a habit to check in with yourself, to evaluate your performance, and to make sure you're meeting your own expectations.
• Set clear, measurable goals. Having concrete goals gives you something to work towards, and it makes it easier to hold yourself accountable.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it's a coach, a mentor, or a supportive friend, having someone else to hold you accountable can be incredibly helpful.

Conclusion

Self-accountability is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. By viewing yourself as both the employee and the manager, you can gain a new perspective on your actions and habits—and take steps to increase your productivity and effectiveness.

So, are you ready to show up for yourself? The rest is down to you.

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