How many times have you been told, “You made your bed, now lay in it,” meaning you created this mess, now deal with it? I know it’s been countless times for me.

What I’m about to say is not meant to get you off the personal accountability hook, so to speak, but to remind you of an option you might forget you have in your efforts to be personally accountable.

We all make mistakes. We’re human. It happens. Being personally accountable means owning up to those mistakes and not trying to point the finger of blame elsewhere. However, it does not mean having to live with a bad situation, just because you created it.

Often, we punish ourselves for our mistakes far worse and for much longer than anyone else would. Whether an apology is in order, or new behavior is required, you can always make a new choice. These are the times to remember that while you may have made this particular bed, you can make a new one.