The Accountability Test for Excuses

What You’ll Learn

You’ll learn to use the Accountability Test, a quick internal audit that reveals whether you’re being honest about your circumstances or hiding behind an excuse. This test is critical for Crush Excuses because it exposes the moment when you slip from problem-solving into self-protection, allowing you to catch and correct yourself in real time.

Key Concepts

The Accountability Test is a three-part internal check that you run whenever you hear yourself offering a reason why you can’t move forward. It works by asking: (1) Would I accept this same reason from someone I’m paying to deliver results? (2) Am I actively trying to solve around this obstacle, or am I passively accepting it? (3) Would I tell this reason to my harshest critic, or am I only comfortable saying it to people who’ll be sympathetic? These questions quickly reveal whether you’ve genuinely hit an immovable wall or whether you’re choosing comfort over effort.

• The Client Test: Imagine you hired a contractor to build your deck, and they said, “I didn’t finish because it was hot outside.” You’d be frustrated because they had options: start early, take breaks, reschedule. Apply this same standard to yourself—would you accept this reason from someone delivering on a commitment to you?
• The Active vs. Passive Test: Real problem-solving is active: you’re researching alternatives, asking for help, or adjusting timelines. Excuse-making is passive: you’ve accepted the obstacle and stopped. Ask yourself right now: “Have I done everything I can think of, or have I actually stopped trying?”
• The Critic Test: The excuses you hide from strong personalities are usually the ones you don’t fully believe. If you wouldn’t state your reason to someone you respect and who respects direct talk, that’s a signal you don’t fully stand behind it, which means it’s likely an excuse rather than a legitimate obstacle.
• The Honesty Multiplier: After each test question, rate your answer 0-10 on honesty. A score below 7 on any question signals you’re in excuse territory and need to pivot to problem-solving mode.

Practical Application

Pick the reason you most frequently give for not taking action on a goal. Run it through all three Accountability Test questions, rating your honesty on each. Write a brief reflection on what the test reveals about whether this is a real constraint or an excuse you’ve been protecting. Then write one concrete action you’ll take this week that proves you’re serious.