I always wanted to be a superhero, or at least to have a super power. Wonder Woman was my favorite. I loved her headband and her superhero outfit, but I probably loved her most because my brother would let me play with her figurine alongside his tiny green army men.
I think we have all wanted to be superheroes at one point in our lives, and not just during our childhood; as adults we convince ourselves into harboring a superhero complex (that is, the false notion and idea that we can do it and be it all without the help of anyone else…and that we can fix everything for others if we just try hard enough). We aren’t superheroes in the classic sense, but we do have a super power available to us that will help us become superheroes in a real sense.
That superpower at our disposal is the power of accountability.
Accountability empowers us to follow through on the small details of life, the mundane disciplines and the commitments towards personal growth that enable to us become better and better versions of ourselves each and every day. It is when we are living authentically and with a focus towards being more of who we are meant to be that we become the superhero version of ourselves. The superhero version of you is someone who embodies and actualizes the you that you know you can be. You are your superhero self when you are pursuing life to the fullest, living in the present and striving to be the best you that you can be.
Here are three ways to unleash your inner superhero today:
- Give more of yourself to the world.
The best way to do this is to be yourself, and to strive to be the very best version of yourself possible each and every day.
- Give yourself the gift of balance.
Superheroes are good at one or two things, not everything. Give yourself permission to be good at what you are good at and to outsource and get support and help on the things you aren’t. Real superheroes know that they don’t have to do it and be it all, but rather that the more balanced they are and able to be themselves they are, the more effective they will ultimately be.
- Give your goals – and your legacy – a fighting chance by giving yourself a network of support and accountability.
The secret of the most successful people in the world, and of the people who have the greatest and most positive impact on the world, isn’t that they are more talented, smarter or better at reaching their goals than others. Instead it is that they set up their goals and dreams in a way that it is impossible to fail, that is, they set up accountability networks for themselves. They invest in their personal growth and the pursuit of their dreams with mentors, coaches and accountability partners.
You now know the secret you need to know to pull our your inner superhero. The secret is the activation of accountability for yourself and it is in your application of this secret that your life can really become something big and great.
Everyone thrives with accountability. To think that you are beyond it is a reflection of a prideful spirit and indicative of a journey that will be limited. The most successful people in the world – athletes, major business owners, billionaires, parents, church leaders, and politicians – seek out mentors. These mentors provide guidance, encouragement, belief, and, most importantly, a sense and network of accountability. We learn accountability from an early age – our parents raise us and hold us to certain standards, our teachers help us learn by providing education, structure and testing, and our supervisors and bosses improve our professional development by establishing goals, deadlines and expectations. Accountability is engrained in our lives naturally in many areas, but one area in which it doesn’t come naturally is the area of our own personal growth accountability.
Personal growth doesn’t happen automatically. It is a result of vision, intention, self-reflection, systems, action, consistent follow-through and accountability; accountability being the glue that holds the other elements together in the equation of success and growth.
Accountability will transform your personal life, positive growth and confidence by:
- Keeping you on task and on target for a goal
- Giving you the support from someone whom you admire
- Establishing deadlines and benchmarks for success
- Creating strategies to implement major positive change in your life
- Ensuring that positive change and progress you make is sustainable
Remember, you are not meant to walk the journey of life alone. Asking for help and creating a network of support isn’t weak, but quite the opposite, it is a sign of great strength and wisdom. By creating boundaries of accountability for yourself you are positioning yourself to be someone who has an edge towards success.
As you read the end of this post, do something with it. Take action. The first step in doing anything is often the hardest step, so be bold and be brave and make today the day where you get started. Sign up to work with me as your accountability coach or reach out to a trusted friend or mentor to set up a system for yourself, whatever you choose is best for you, start now.