10 Tips to Develop Stronger Personal Accountability
1. Set the goal and write it down (in your agenda; See #5)!
Make the goal SMART.
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time sensitive
Plan for long-term success!
Are you emotionally attached to goals?
2. Understand what you’re trying to accomplish and the steps necessary to get there.
Are there gaps in your knowledge? If so, ask for help right away!
Be sure to seek support from the right person. For example: if a person wanted to get a nose job, they wouldn’t go to their dentist and ask for advice, they would go to a plastic surgeon.
Be mindful not to establish daily habits that aren’t optimal for success.
3. Commit to the goal and develop a plan.
Does my approach, method and overall plan result in accomplishing my goal?
Is this plan feasible for my lifestyle?
4. Institute the necessary daily habits for success
Daily habits become weekly habits, which turn into monthly and annual success.
Prioritizing, planning, consistency and re-evaluation are key components to success.
5. Have a schedule and write EVERYTHING in it! *SHOULD BE #1!
Have a schedule, make checklists and write everything down in your agenda! Do this with all avenues of life: fitness, academic, career, financial, etc.
Remember, just because you veer from the plan once, doesn’t mean you need to throw away all your new and important lifestyle habits & behaviours. Establishing a new habit is about consistency. There are exceptions to the rule, but if MOST of the time you’re consistent, moderation is really good and healthy for the most part.
Be honest with yourself and keep track of your lifestyle & behaviours, even if they aren’t optimal for your success that day. You’ll look back and see growth, patterns and learn about yourself at the very least. If you want to continue to make positive changes, you can use that information and try to plan accordingly for the future, or become more conscious of it, if that is what is needed.
6. Commit to a positive mindset narrative & focus on that intention every day.
Set your mindset narrative. Are your thoughts cultivating a positive mindset narrative or disrupting it?
Are your thoughts going to lead to positive results?
How we think about ourselves, how we talk to ourselves & our mindset, shape our reality. It is the foundation for our success and more importantly, it attracts the same energy and drive from others.
Mindset determines discipline, perseverance, and our ability to prioritize our health and wellbeing.
What type of commitment are you willing to make to yourself to develop and foster your positive mindset narrative?
7. Be present.
Focus on being present and taking things one day at a time. Easier said than done, that’s why mindset narrative is so important.
Today’s planning and follow through will lead to future success.
Again, these daily behaviours are going to shape what you’re doing successfully in 6 months to 1 year.
8. Schedule check-ins with yourself.
Are you following through on the plan you set out for yourself? If not, what needs to change? Why isn’t it happeneing? What are the repercussions of not following through?
Are your behaviours still consistent with the necessary steps to achieve your goal? Progression is essential.
Reward your milestones and celebrate & reward success.
9. Tell someone supportive.
Have them check in with you on the set dates as well.
Invest in one anothers’ success and encourage accountability on both ends.
Pre-plan your success celebration together so you both have something to look forward to.
10. Remember the saying “you’re only as good as the company you keep”?
Subtle daily influences sway your thought process, your daily habits, how we prioritize our goals, and view our success.
Pick your people wisely! Support, or lack thereof, can make or break you.