I believe the power of accountability works wonders for creating the life of your dreams.
Weight watchers, personal trainers, and coaches prove this idea to me over and over again.
When life gets busy, when you get too tired, or when things just simply fall off of your plate, having the power of accountability helps you pick up the pieces and reminds you to stay on track towards your goals.
To truly stay accountable, I believe you need some sort of support system, someone who will remind you why you created your goals in the first place and who will encourage you through the ups and downs of your journey.
Steve Pavlina, a personal development blogger, says…
“without some systematized method of daily accountability, the natural result will be to stray off course. Then at the end of the year, you look back and say, ‘If only…’ In order to prevent that yearly ‘if only,’ you have to squeeze that annual accountability down into each and every day. When you look back on your day and see you goofed, you can immediately regroup and recommit to doing a better job the next day. Better to do this every single day instead of ‘going dark’ and then being painfully surprised at the end of the year. If you have no system, then either old habits or just plain chaos will dominate in the long run, regardless of your intentions and motivation.”
This is what I know…..
1. Accountability gives you a sense of control in your life.
2. It allows you to stay on course towards your goals even when you stray (and trust me you most likely will stray).
3. With the power of accountability, you can refocus and move on.
4. Although you ultimately have to hold yourself accountable to your own true north, resources and support systems are available to help you succeed.
5. Technology can help (e.g. reminder notes on your online calendar, life balance alerts, etc).
6. I need accountability in my life to help me embrace my needs and passions.
- Weight Watchers holds me accountable for eating healthy and exercising.
- My blog keeps me accountable for my writing practice.
- My new art class will keep me accountable for finding time for my creative expressions.
- My cleaning service holds me accountable for straightening up my house once a week.
- My professional organizer holds me accountable for decluttering my home.
- My children hold me accountable for being a positive role model (they call me out when I am acting grouchy).
- My automatic investment contribution service holds me accountable for investing for my retirement every month.
FABULOUS COMMENT QUESTION >> How do you hold yourself accountable for your life balance needs and passions?
This is so true. We are often so quick to blame others for not getting things done whether its the kids, our boss, the weather. At the end of the day it falls back on 1 person – ME. I often talk about this when I do presentations – accountability and responsibility keep you in control and with the power to make change.
I have a small group of women I meet with regularly who keep me accountable for my marketing activities. It’s fun and helpful!
@Stacey – Thanks for sharing how you keep yourself accountable for your marketing activities. I like that you said that it’s fun. I think we often forget that being accountable can be a fun and exciting process.
“My blog keeps me accountable for my writing practice.”
Blogging IS a great way to make yourself write almost every day.
Vereds last blog post..Aging: May I Please Get Off This Path Now?
I like your ideas about being accountable. Joining a class, having a support group or undertaking some kind of program sure helps in being accountable!! Without setting aside time for these, my tendency is to procastinate!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Planet Of Dreams
@Vered – I agree. If I’m not drafting my next post I’m commenting on other blogs. Either way, I practice writing every day.
@Evelyn – I tend to procrastinate too if I don’t have my support systems in place.
Accountability is so important. I like the idea of having a support system in place. We all will stray from our course (#2) – I’ve done this while trying to get in better physical condition. Having my wife to hold me accountable has been the best resource for me in getting back on course. She gives me honest answers, not sugar-coated to make me feel good.
Evelyn, I like your point as well about procrastination – if I’m not accountable this happens to me far too often. Another great example of the importance of accountability.
Lances last blog post..What Are We Missing?
I couldn’t agree more. It’s one of the reasons I like to make loud declarations on my blog. It makes me accountable. I try to explain this to my parents, but they look at me like I have three heads and two of them are turning purple.
Writer Dads last blog post..Thank You Sir, May I Have Another?
I’m a member of a Mastermind group of other small business owners, and they hold me accountable for playing big. Sometimes I start to chicken out or sell myself short, and rationalize why I’m not ready, why I can’t charge a lot, etc. They help me keep the faith & remind me to think big in my business!
~ ElizabethPW
Elizabeth Potts Weinsteins last blog post..Ep #57 Put the Law of Attraction Into Action in Your Life & Business
@Lance and Writer Dad – Your comments must have slipped by my radar. I apologize for the late reply.
@Lance – Accountability for working out does give me a huge advantage too.
@Writer Dad – I hear you! I also like to make declarations on my blog to hold myself accountable.
@Elizabeth – Your Mastermind group sounds so exciting. I’d love to have my own local group of supporters that keep me accountable for my business dreams.