When we set a goal, we get excited and focus on what it takes to achieve it. However, with time, our goals often require painful changes that challenge our comfort and daily routines. We start making excuses for our failures, we get disappointed and we stop trying.
Being accountable means engaging in self-discipline to achieve your goals. It may be useful to learn and practice the following strategies to maximize your opportunities for successful outcomes.
- Be honest
Try to be brutally honest and have a thorough assessment of yourself. It’s important to set goals that make sense, emphasizing on your key strengths and improving the areas you’re weaker in. Additionally, be honest every time you review your progress or you fail to commit to necessary changes. Remember, no one is perfect, and setbacks may happen. Set realistic steps to get back on track.
- Identify your why
Holding yourself accountable means having a crystal-clear reason why this goal is so important to you. If your “why” is quite strong for you, you will be able to create enough pressure to change your bad/insignificant routines. Your vision will be the reason that will keep you accountable and motivated.
- Set short-term goals
Short-term goals that have a narrow scope and very few steps will help you accomplish steady progress towards your long-term goal. Schedule a few tasks throughout the week and decide which day you review your progress.
- Make a plan
There is no path to success, without a plan. A plan requires specific, concrete actions and a deadline. The plan will lead you from the present to your future goal. Set a realistic plan, block out time in your calendar and honor that time as an urgent task. Choose a day or time for execution that’s flexible and less demanding.
- Practise self-care
Rest is a vital aspect of a healthy lifestyle, and it’s necessary to maintain the right mindset, when moving forward with your goals. You can practise techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, positive affirmations, journaling or whatever you think will work best for you to recharge and get ready for your next step.
- Find an accountability partner
An accountability partner is someone who is committed to helping you reach your goals and in turn, you’ll do the same for them. You usually set up a goal and you commit to mutual efforts until you reach your goals. Find a partner you trust and, who can give you honest feedback and hold you accountable. You can make a verbal or written agreement to ensure you both provide updates on your commitments. If you do not have someone within your circle, hire a knowledgeable professional, like a Coach. A Coach could also help you in better goal-setting, motivation and empowerment to keep going.
- Reward yourself
Create a reward system every time you remain diligent and work hard. Taking time to celebrate each win you have is an important part of holding yourself accountable because it helps you build momentum and stay focused. With every success, you build confidence and you reinforce your motivation.
Progress and accountability go hand in hand.
If you create a strategy/ routine that works for you and you make it easy to keep taking step after step, you’re less likely to get overwhelmed or give up. When you hold yourself accountable, you can also experience benefits, such as less stress, increased confidence and improved productivity. Creating a goal is easy, but it takes hard work, focus and dedication to achieve it. Utilize any of the above steps to develop new habits, overcome old behavior patterns and get prepared for long-term success.
Image by vectorjuice on Freepik