So, What Are You Going to Do About It?

Her words hit me which such force, I had to catch my breath. I had to draw in air.

Her question — more like her demand — caught me off guard. Completely.

It nearly knocked the wind out of me. It felt like a balloon does when it is deflated — that is, if it had feelings.

Needless to say, I was taken aback.

And yet, from an early age, we naively learn that sticks and stones can break your bones, but words will never hurt you. Nor harm you. That day I would have had to disagree wholeheartedly.

I decided, rather realized, that my whining was the culprit. The real culprit.

She had grown weary of my words. Rather my constant whining: week after week, month after month…

And decided to do something about it.

The question was put to test: So, what are you going to do about it?

It was a question and a demand at the same time. That was why I was so taken aback.

The next thing I knew: Words just flowed from my mouth, and my chest swelled in newfound confidence.

“I’m not — I’m not gonna see another ______,” I replied.

Once proclaimed, I felt as if a heavy load had been lifted off my back.

Now I could run, and sing, and twirl, and become Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music.

The event was our annual celebration at the nonprofit where I worked. And for too many reasons, I decided then and there, that I did not want to witness another.

It was four or five months until the event when I made my bold decision. But I knew that there was no turning back.

For too many months, I had whined about my situation.

And my accountability partner was right: I did nothing about it.

But once I made the decision: Everything became clear.

And clarity became my new friend.

An older boyfriend had once told me that no matter what job you have in life, there were always going to be problems. And issues.

He was right.

And now I was finally going to stop feeling and playing small. But I did not realize how much until much later.

It was like I was in therapy. But — without the therapist.

I was unfolding. But — without guidance.

For years, my confidence had been seeping from my pores. Making me accountable was the best gift my accountability buddy could have given me.

Not until you become accountable in life to yourself — and others — are you truly free, and only then do you see the light.

You're finally ready to take action on that pending question: So, what are you going to do about it?

No matter how uncomfortable, how scary: Step by step will get you to success.

There is no need to run. There’s plenty of time for that later.

For now, just remain accountable to yourself. The planets will line up.

Moreover, God will guide you.

He will order your steps.

And victory will be yours.

Here are 15 recommendations each, courtesy of ChatGPT, on signs that you are avoiding accountability, how you can become accountable, and moreover, how you can maintain your accountability and action steps:

15 Signs You Are Avoiding Accountability

1.  You blame others for your setbacks.
2.  You frequently make excuses instead of finding solutions.
3.  You deny or minimize your role in problems.
4.  You avoid difficult conversations or feedback.
5.  You procrastinate or delay important tasks.
6.  You shift responsibility when outcomes are negative.
7.  You get defensive when confronted with mistakes.
8.  You focus on problems, not solutions.
9.  You pretend to misunderstand expectations.
10.  You change the subject when results are brought up.
11.  You disappear or go silent when accountability is required.
12.  You make vague commitments without follow-through.
13.  You compare yourself to others to avoid taking responsibility.
14.  You deflect by criticizing others' performance instead of owning yours.
15.  You have a pattern of not meeting deadlines or obligations.

15 Ways to Become More Accountable

1.  Accept full ownership of your actions, outcomes, and decisions.
2.  Define clear, realistic goals for yourself.
3.  Break goals into actionable steps and set deadlines.
4.  Write down what you commit to doing.
5.  Be transparent about your progress (or lack of it).
6.  Reflect daily or weekly on what you’ve accomplished.
7.  Identify your personal “why” to stay motivated.
8.  Use productivity tools like planners, calendars, or apps.
9.  Ask for feedback from people you trust.
10.  Choose an accountability partner or coach.
11.  Track patterns of avoidance and challenge them.
12.  Take action quickly after mistakes—don’t dwell in guilt.
13.  Practice self-discipline—do the hard things even when you don’t feel like it.
14.  Replace perfectionism with progress.
15.  Reward yourself for consistent effort, not just big wins.

15 Steps to Maintain Accountability and Move Forward

1.  Create a weekly accountability checklist.
2.  Schedule regular self-reviews or progress audits.
3.  Set short-term milestones to stay focused.
4.  Establish a reward/consequence system for goals.
5.  Communicate openly about your goals with others.
6.  Join mastermind groups or peer support circles.
7.  Document your wins and lessons learned.
8.  Use visual trackers (bullet journals, wall charts, etc.).
9.  Block time on your calendar for follow-through.
10.  Review your purpose monthly to realign your energy.
11.  Celebrate progress to reinforce positive behavior.
12.  Practice radical honesty with yourself.
13.  Limit distractions and time-wasting activities.
14.  Reconnect with mentors or role models who inspire you.
15.  Repeat affirmations like: “I am responsible for my life, and I act accordingly.”

 

First, remember to have patience on your journey. It is not easy to accept accountability, and to move forward, you must admit that you were also to blame for whatever issue and/or decision that you have been avoiding and/or blaming others for. Like they say, there are two sides to a story, and two sides to a relationship. If you want to dish out blame, you must be willing to accept that at least half of it is yours.

I know, I know it can be a difficult thing to admit. But it will also set you free.

I found myself carrying that load with me even months after I left my position. I discovered that blame — and bitterness — were still holding me back. And releasing them was more powerful that becoming accountable, halting my whining, and finally doing something about it.

You are not always going to be the perfect match when it comes to your business, career and personal life. You will not always see eye to eye. That is life.

But what matters the most is how you handle the situation. And do something about it.

I hope this blog helps you to take action, and do something about pressing issues. If it does, please drop me a line, and let me know how. Please feel free to reach out to me at ruth@ruthanitafoote.com.

 

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I’m Ruth Anita Foote, an award-winning journalist, historian, author, and online entrepreneur — passionate about helping you enhance your business, career, and lifestyle. Whether you need writing, editing, research, or online business development, I’m here to support your growth. My goal is to empower you to elevate your success and make a lasting impact in your field. You can connect to all my social media platforms through Linktr.ee