So, how are those resolutions coming?
Hello?
If you are already scratching your head trying to remember all the great things you planned to be up to this year, then maybe you need a little more accountability.
Get More Eyes on Your Prize
Having someone (or something) else who can help you keep your eye on the prize can make all the difference in generating real change. Accountability partners not only cheer on our successes, but they often make it more likely you’ll achieve your goal if you know someone else is invested in you. After all, you don’t want to disappoint them. And success is a great way to say thanks.
My 3AM Accountability Partner
One of my most reliable accountability partners is an app! Actually, it’s a combination of an app and a human. My triathlon coach enters all of my workouts in Training Peaks. The app then sends me a message every day at 3 am (don’t worry, I don’t read it until a more civilized hour!) with my workout for today and tomorrow.
This system gives me no excuse for not knowing what I should be doing on any day of the season. It also requires me to login to record whether or not I completed it and how I felt. That’s where the human element comes in! My coach sees my feedback, so she knows if I am slacking off and need some support and accountability.
Creative Ways to Design Accountability
Do you cringe at the idea of one more app? Here are a couple other ways to get accountability.
- Say your goal out loud. Crazy easy and it works! The more people you tell about a goal, the more people you won’t want to disappoint. They’ll ask you about it, which can motivate you to have progress to report. One participant in my January workshop declared publicly that she wanted to do her first triathlon that summer. That raised the bar on her accountability, and she did it and posted pictures on social media so everyone could celebrate her accomplishment!
- Recruit a partner in crime. Know anyone else who might have a similar goal? Do it together! Not only are you more likely to stick with it, but you’ll probably have more fun. Want to get better at public speaking? Find someone who will listen to you practice and can give you feedback. Want to meditate 10 minutes a day? Create a regular date with someone who shares this goal.
Bottom line: accountability increases your chances of success, no matter what you’re trying to accomplish. So don’t worry if you can’t do it all alone, that’s what makes us human! Just find someone to help you stay accountable and watch the results start to happen.
