We appear to live in a society that continues to migrate toward a "what can I get for nothing" mentality rather than one with an attitude of "what can I do to make a difference" or "what action can I take to earn a better living".   Many of our citizens no longer seem to possess a strong work ethic, striving to better themselves through inspiration and hard labor, preferring instead to just take it easy and depend upon the "government" to provide. What ever happened to the concept that if I work long and hard to make a better living for myself and my family that my dreams would eventually come true?

As I think about this I am more and more convinced that a large part of the problem is due to a lack of personal accountability for our attitude, work and action. I remember growing up that if I didn't give something my best I was reprimanded, or at the very least sternly reminded that I could do much better.   Any excuse, or rationalization for why my effort was less than it could be, was always met with counseling to take responsibility rather than to place blame. If I received a poor review at school, or failed at any activity or endeavor, there was no putting the blame on the teacher, the coach, the circumstances, or the others involved; I was expected to own the issue and any consequences of my failure. Great parenting and teaching; I wonder, are we giving the same benefit to our children today by holding them accountable for their performance and actions? Are we living an example of personal accountability that our children can look up to, or are we teaching them through our words and actions that our failure is always someone else's fault or responsibility?

I met a Christian author several years ago, John Miller, who is a business coach and motivational speaker. John has developed, through his personal observations and experiences, a program for re-embracing personal accountability and sharing it with others. He has written several books on personal accountability based upon what he has found to be true in his life, and the lives of his family. After meeting John, and reading his books, I have also done my best to accept responsibility for things that I can positively change, and to live in a way that I hold myself accountable rather than attempt to find fault, place blame, or make excuses for anything that doesn't go my way.

As our children begin another year at school, I encourage you to not only embrace a renewed personal accountability in your life, but to hold your kids to a higher standard in their academic and social lives as well. John Miller has a couple of very good books, easy to read and understand, that will help you on your way to freedom from all of the things that you thought you couldn't do anything about. With just a simple change of attitude, rather than asking questions that place blame and responsibility on others, you can learn to ask the question behind the question that will unlock possibilities you may have forgotten, or never realized, were possible. Be sure to look over the description of John's books below and consider picking up a copy to read and share. I am positive that you will be glad that you did.

Blessings,