My Mastermind Group has mini accountability groups within it (not sure what a Mastermind Group is? Article on that is here. Or curious about what an Accountability Group does? Article is here.). My goals are always pretty simple – flossing, working out, yoga, meditations daily – simple, clear and achievable. They’re always good goals to have and actions that I might not undertake if I didn’t have a weekly check in with people I like, respect and admire.
I’ve been researching the training program for running a marathon (no, I’m not ready to commit. I’m just looking) and one of the keys that keeps coming up in the training is that consistency is everything; the little daily tasks matter.
Jack Canfield says the first step towards keeping your accountabilities to others is to always, unfailingly, keep your commitments that you’ve made to yourself. If you’re one of those people that consistently breaks promises, arrives late to everything, always has an excuse about why you missed a deadline or disappointed someone, this advice is key. You have to start somewhere and keeping your promises that you’ve made to yourself is the first place to start.
If you’re in business for yourself, accountability starts with you. You can’t look at your employees and expect them to magically say “This is my fault and I will fix it” or “I said that I would do it and my word is my bond” if you’re not delivering on these principles yourself. Everything in an organization is top down. So, if you’re not conscientious with your words and actions, the team around you won’t be either.
In order to grow yourself personally and your company professional, it is imperative that you identify and get rid of lack of accountability within yourself and your corporation.
You do this with a simple 1, 2 plan.
1. Make and set goals yourself.
2. Keep them no matter what.
It is that simple. If you can’t keep your promises to yourself, how do you expect to keep them for your friends and family?
For more on improving personal accountability, the epitome on accountability is the QBQ! book by John Miller. Or consider starting your own Accountability Group for whatever goals you’d like to make. Start small, keep your commitments to yourself and start down the one path achieving astonishing results in business and at home.
Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article
I appreciate your always sharing what you learn from your Mastermind Group! I'm actually accountable to everyone else but myself. I need to change in that regard. :}
Yoga, meditation, and writing are my three daily must-do's. And you can bet your bottom dollar that unless I'm sick to the point of incapacitation, my butt is on that yoga mat! Keeping this promise to myself is nice because when I actually cant for some reason (like illness) I dont feel so guilty.
Great post! Thank you for sharing.