2011: 3 Steps to Be Accountable to Your Excellence

Truth is, you already are accountable. You are the ultimate creator of all that you do, all that you experience. While you may not have created certain events in your life, you are the generative force behind what you have that experience mean for you. Have to allowed yourself to become the victim of circumstance? Or have you spent your moments examining, learning and rising above?

Either way, hold yourself accountable. Without judgment. You were doing the best you can with the light you had to see. Today, we're going add a little more light to expand your view.

To begin, I'll use this quote a lot because it defines my daily mission - for my self and as in service to you:

"When you feel in your gut who you are and dynamically pursue it - don't give up and don't back down - you're going to mystify a lot of folks." - Bob Dylan

It's my belief that we are here - on this earth - to mystify a lot of folks. We're here to show up with grace and excellence as we fully express our potential - our special innate gifts - no matter what.

To do that, you have to muster up your Moxie. You have to:

1. Claim Your Truth

The more you struggle in your personal and professional life the more you're disconnected from who you were born to become. Beginning at a very young age we learn how to shape-shift and mold ourselves into what we think is lovable - or at least acceptable - to others. We transform our true selves into that which will help us get out of childhood alive. We surrender to the conditioning and often unrealistic expectations of well-meaning caregivers and influencers. We adopt this personality - a way of being, thinking and acting - so completely that we think its who we are.

Too often it's not. You may think you know who you are. If you do, you feel great about you and the life you live. Heck, you probably wouldn't be reading this post.
However, if you feel like something's missing or a deep inner longing begging to be filled then you are most certainly not showing up in life as the person you were born to become.

If you've ever taken one of those personality tests to find out who you are and you're not thrilled with your results I guarantee you, it spit out a reflection of your conditioning, not your true essence.

For a glimpse at your true reflection think of the people (real or fictional) you admired as a child. What was it about them that made an impression upon you? What did they have in common? Those attributes and values are aligned with your truth. You always love a mirror reflection of yourself. Reclaim your truth. Show up owning and expressing the essence of those you wanted to be like when you 'grew up'.

2. Own Your Power

Once you've reconnected with your true essence it is essential to think, speak and act in alignment with that truth. Be mindful of your thoughts. Do they support who you are, want you want? Or do they diminish your truth?

Pay attention to your words. Do they support your truth or do they belie you in any way? Are you taking action in the direction of who you want to become? Or are you Finding Excuses And Reasons (FEAR) to justify opposite or no action?

Wake up! Shift from auto-pilot to the driver of your life's direction.

3. Command Your Stage

Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage and the men and women merely players" for the monologue in "As You Like It". It's a profoundly true statement. What role are you playing in your stage of life, career, passionate pursuits and relationships? Are you playing the role of the victim of circumstance or are you the master of your opportunities?

Do you learn and grow from your missteps? Or do you repeat the same misguided patterns over and over? Do you take responsibility for your what you want to create in your life or do you waddle in self-pity?

If you don't like the role you've played create a new part for yourself moving forward. Don't just try the costume on, wear it well!

You and you alone are responsible for your life experience. Hold yourself accountable to your excellence. It's the difference between a mere existence and an extraordinary life story well told.