One of the advantages of working with a coach, a therapist, or a mentor is developing a relationship in which you trust the person to hold you accountable to your goals, your values, and your purpose.
I realize that some people may not want to foster a relationship in which being held or holding another accountable is desired. Fair. Not all relationships must include accountability as an important and necessary criterion. I would argue; however, that relationships which do not include being held responsible for one’s decisions and actions is not a relationship in which growth can easily happen.
Why accountability is a good thing: let me count the ways (pun intended)…
1. You receive feedback on what is working or not working.
2. You reach a better and more complete understanding of what motivates you.
3. You discover the places and the spaces where you are in denial.
4. You learn more about your shadow: the self in which you feel ashamed or frightened.
5. You have the opportunity to move into alignment with your values and act with integrity.
I feel very fortunate that I have people in my life who are willing to serve as accountability partners to me. My accountability partners help me grow and move through patterns of stuckness. They also keep me honest and support my wish to act with integrity. They are the people in my life who tell me the truth and who believe in my ability to change. I would not feel as whole or as confident without my accountability partners.
What is also true is that not everyone who you know or who offers to serve as an accountability partner is a good fit.
Some criteria I use to determine if I want this person to hold me accountable are:
1. I trust them. One way I determine if a person is trustworthy is I observe:
- How they make and communicate their decisions
- Whether or not they keep their promises and commitments
- What values they hold dear and consistently act upon
2. They take responsibility for themselves.
3. They have accountability partners.
Because I am working with a coach whom I trust and who is willing to be an accountability partner to me, I uncovered a place in my life where I was holding back and not showing up fully. This realization not only helped me get unstuck: this realization helped me to write a clear and honest purpose statement for the new Shakti Stewardship program which launches this April.
In the spirit of staying accountable, I choose to share the Shakti Stewardship Program’s Purpose Statement with you now. No sense in waiting for a big reveal on the webpage. When you know the truth, it is important, and even fun, to go ahead and share it. Here it is:
We exist to nurture the discovery of and the living into one’s soul purpose
In a way that inspires and equips people to lead from their heart
So that people who practice inclusion, love, respect, and kindness are the stewards of our communities.
I’d love to hear your stories of having an accountability partner and the benefits you received from being in such a relationship.
In the meantime, I hope you will join me in celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8. There are several opportunities to connect with and to nurture women in our community. Check out the information below and let me know if you have any questions.
Wishing you a wonderful week!
Love,
International Women’s Day
Join us for one or all events!
Brunch at the Langston Centre
11:30 am to 1 pm. $20.
The Langston Centre is hosting a brunch to celebrate women from our community. The brunch is on March 8 from 11:30 am to 1 pm and includes a lunch catered by Cranberries. Tickets may be purchased online or in person at the Langston Centre. I am attending the brunch and would love to see folks from the Shakti community there.
Makerspace Craftivism at Shakti in the Mountains
3 – 5 pm. Free.
Lend your creative skills to add to a special Embracing Equity display.
Everyone welcome. No need to register.
Embracing Equity at Shakti in the Mountains
5 – 7:30 pm. Sliding Fee $5-25.
With a focus on empowering women through sustainability, health, wealth, work, and tech, there is a way to honor every important woman or cause in your life. Plan to join us as a cohort of doctoral public health students from ETSU host activities to help the Shakti community celebrate! This event is for all genders. You can learn more and register here.
Kim Bushore-Maki is a soul-driven entrepreneur who understands the undeniable urge to create a business and a life filled with meaning and purpose. Her vision of opening a center where people could heal and grow led her to open Shakti in the Mountains in Johnson City, Tennessee: a place where the creative, feminine energy is nurtured and valued.
Kim is a licensed professional counselor and a yoga teacher. She completed the Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy program as well as the Shake Your Soul Yoga Dance program. Kim is very interested in somatic expressive therapy, archetypal psychology, gardening, herbalism, astrology, wisdom traditions, and regenerative economics.
Kim continues to build and to support inclusive, vibrant communities. She spends most of her time mentoring leaders, guiding healing programs, and providing mental health counseling.
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