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If you know what we do here at QBQ, Inc., it’s no surprise to you that we think about PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY—a lot.
What does personal accountability mean? How is it manifested in a person’s life? What does practicing it do for us? What is the “why” behind living accountably? How do we make it a core value in our organizations?
All good questions, along with this one: What would an “Accountable Person’s Bill of Rights” look like?
So began the creation of the following list. As you peruse them, if you believe any are worth incorporating into your life, go right ahead!
The Accountable Person’s Bill of 39 Rights
- I reserve the right to choose my words carefully, taking responsibility for each of them.
- I reserve the right to worry less about how others live and more about how I live my life.
- I reserve the right to share my opinions without fear my character will be attacked.
- I reserve the right to not call people names when they disagree with me.
- I reserve the right to not be easily offended.
- I reserve the right to not live a life of griping and grievances.
- I reserve the right to not rejoice when others stumble.
- I reserve the right to remember that my actions always speak louder than my words.
- I reserve the right to not hide behind the Internet to lash out at people.
- I reserve the right to not start or engage in purposeless arguments on Facebook.
- I reserve the right to disagree.
- I reserve the right to not scream and yell at those who disagree with me.
- I reserve the right to use social media in a positive, uplifting manner.
- I reserve the right to say “I don’t know” when I don’t know.
- I reserve the right to admit when I am wrong.
- I reserve the right to work for all I have and not become entitled.
- I reserve the right to change the one person that I can—me.
- I reserve the right to not speak of things I know nothing about.
- I reserve the right to dismiss Hollywood stars who have decided they’re experts in all matters.
- I reserve the right to not put any celebrity—including politicians—on pedestals.
- I reserve the right to treat all human beings with respect.
- I reserve the right to honor my country by honoring its laws as written.
- I reserve the right to believe the U.S.A is the greatest nation on Earth.
- I reserve the right to vote for politicians based on their competence, experience, and principles—and no other factors.
- I reserve the right to not form an opinion until all facts are known.
- I reserve the right to makes decisions based on my values, not expediency.
- I reserve the right to be more concerned about my integrity than another’s.
- I reserve the right to share my blessings with the needy and not judge those who don’t.
- I reserve the right to turn off television shows that are counter to my family’s values.
- I reserve the right to ignore all talking heads on all television networks.
- I reserve the right to tune out any journalist who goes beyond reporting the news.
- I reserve the right to object to teachers using my kid’s classroom to share their politics. (Note to 1st – 12th grade teachers: Please stick to teaching reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic!)
- I reserve the right to not get caught up in fads, including the latest “diet” plan.
- I reserve the right to think before I speak.
- I reserve the right to resist all marketing for shiny new things—and spend less than I earn.
- I reserve the right to engage in strong, confident, and loving parenting.
- I reserve the right to break from group thinking and reason for myself.
- I reserve the right to own my decisions and not blame the lousy ones on someone else.
- I reserve the right to take personal accountability for my life and make NO EXCUSES!
And that’s my list. Hope you enjoyed it! Three questions:
Of these 39 “rights,” which are most meaningful to you?
Which one(s) will you put into practice today?
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21 Responses
Great post John!!
Jim, thanks so much!
I think #9, #10, and #13 are being broken a lot these days. Social media should be about connecting with friends, not a platform for hate and cruelty. And oddly enough I think #32 rears its ugly head often as well. Impressionable youth are often being taught what the teacher believes, in the classroom. Sometimes a little deprogramming is needed, or at least a good question and answer session with them so that they can get another adult’s view. Sometimes a little more research is needed on both our parts!
#40 – I reserve the right to add one more number to my favorite blog in order to round it out to an even number to help with my OCD. 🙂 Just kidding!! Great list, John. I love number 39.
Thanks, Gina – you made me laugh!
Very nice QBQ this week John. I would add more qualities that I want to build rather than focus on all the bad habits I want to get rid of or change. Thus I would inlcude the right to build patience, joy, tolerance, health, gratitude, self-awareness, creativity, and forgiveness (of myself and others).
Jim, appreciate your thoughts!
I think 39 encompasses the rest.
Amen, Judeka!
I reserve the right to change my mind based on new information or the sound explanation of the other’s side.
Cathy, that’s a good one. Thanks!
Jon,
Number 3 is, or at least should be, true in the US, but in reality and practice, it is not so in many countries. Having lived under a dictatorship in Africa for 12 years, I would not “reserve the right to share my opinions without fear my character will be attacked,” because in fact and as a foreigner in a host country with different laws on the freedom of expression, I would restrain myself from freely stating my my opinions, notably when I disagreed with government policy.
Hard to imagine, Dale … thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Wondering if I could reserve the right to name Canada in #23 as one of the many other “greatest nations on earth?”
Sure, Thomas … if you feel that way, then say it! 🙂
John:
Here is a new one: I reserve the right to never blame others for my mistakes.
Sounds great to me, Peter! Thanks!
HI John,
This list is so timely. I’m re-reading your book, Parenting The QBQ Way, so #36 on your list stuck out to me. But most of all I appreciate the focus in your list away from “what is the world doing, thinking, buying” and returning the focus to what am I doing to change me and hopefully in the process encourage my family to be personally accountable for their own lives. It is prompting me to think about my own list!:-) Thanks for all you do!
Julie, thanks. It is good to think about our OWN list, I agree! Thanks for stopping by. Come again!
I visited your website for the first time today, and I love it. I thought of a couple more:
I reserve the right to not feel defeated or discouraged during trials that are encountered in my life, but rather look forward to the fact that the testing of my faith develops perseverance and maturity.
I reserve the right to see talent, gifts and potential in absolutely everyone that I encounter in my daily life.
I appreciate you! Jo
Joanna, thanks for the great note! Honored! Be well!