Do you know anyone who is a champion blamer? You know who I’m talking about – the perpetual victim that has the uncanny ability to tag everyone else for all the misfortune and unhappiness in their lives; everyone except themselves, of course. Chances are you’ve known or currently know someone that fits that description. It could be that that person is the guy or gal you see in the mirror everyday.

Shirking responsibility and blaming others has become all too common in our culture. In fact, when things go pear shaped, a triangle of “finger pointing” is almost as likely as a Budweiser commercial during the Super Bowl. Generally, we blame others in an effort to avoid undesirable consequences. Ironically, when we duck responsibility, it has just the opposite effect – its fruits typically being lost trust, diminished opportunities, and ultimately sour relationships in the home and work place. However, what many fail to realize is that while being accountable for our actions may at times be difficult, doing so can change our lives for the better in a powerful way.

So what does alchemy have to do with accountability? First, let’s start off by defining the word. Alchemy: a seemingly magical power or process of transmuting or changing a simple substance into something of great value such as turning lead into gold. Likewise, the principle of accountability is a rather simple idea that requires little more than owning our choices, their related consequences and being proactive in rectifying any problems that may have arisen from those choices. However simple the principle of accountability, it is clear that acting on this basic tenet at work and at home positively alters the outcome of every situation and produces “golden” dividends of increased trust and respect among our family and associates, strengthened personal character, and a swell of opportunity personally and professionally.

Accountability lifts us from the dark victim abyss of skewed paradigms and self imposed limitations and changes our environment – landing us on the sunny hill of freedom, insight, and opportunity; a place where we can achieve and accomplish without limitation.

My challenge to you? Stop playing the blame game. You and you alone are ultimately responsible for the circumstances surrounding you in your life. If you are unhappy with them, I dare you to unleash the power of accountability and watch a magical change unfold.