“Accountability is the glue that ties commitment to the result.” – Bob Proctor
It’s that time again – the time of year when many of us decide that this is going to be the year that they finally start working out, get organized, lose the weight, save more or (fill in the blank_____________.) Yet research consistently shows that only 9% will actually stick to their resolutions for the entire year. In one study, 80% of those surveyed admitted to abandoning their goal by February.
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Here are some of the most common New Year’s resolutions:
Exercise more
Lose weight
Get organized
Pay off debt/save more
Quit smoking
Spend more time with family and/or friends
Travel more
Read more books
Learn a new skill or language
Whatever you want to achieve, the key is in making the change and sticking to it. We all know someone who has lost 20 pounds, stopped smoking, started working out, organized their office or home, only to find their resolve weaken over time. The pounds come back, it’s too hard to get to the gym, or we decide we can have “just one” cigarette. Maybe it’s even been us.
What gives?
Change is hard, and I think at least part of the answer lies in having accountability which means having someone who will hold us responsible for our actions. Coaches support their clients in achieving the goals they have set for themselves and one way they do this is by keeping their clients accountable. Coaching clients set specific, measurable, and realistic goals and follow up with their coach regularly which helps them to stay motivated and progressing forward. Knowing they have committed to completing a certain task or action step by a certain date can be key to accomplishing that task or action.
An accountability partner does not necessarily have to be a coach. It can be anyone you trust who will keep you honest and moving forward on the path you have decided on. While it can be a coach, it could also be a colleague, a good friend or an “accountability buddy.” It might be an exercise partner, or someone you train with toward a goal, such as running in a 10K race. You’ll want to talk to them about your goals and be specific about the actions you will regularly take to move forward. It’s important to schedule regular times you will check in with this person – this is how you will be accountable. Additionally, you may need to revisit or adjust your goals or action steps at times and having a regular check-in time is the time to do this.
When all is said and done, having an accountability partner can be the difference between accomplishing the goals we set for ourselves or watching them fall by the wayside, again, because we are more likely to act if someone else is holding us answerable for the commitments we’ve made. We don’t have to, nor should we, go it alone.
Warm wishes for 2023!
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