"Accountability is the glue that ties commitment to the result." -Bob Proctor
Accountability--what is it? Accountability can be defined as "clear commitments-that in the eyes of others-have been kept." Adjectives that describe accountability are responsibility, willingness, obligation and answerability, just to name a few. It's walking your talk and it's coming through on your word. It's keeping the commitments that you made to yourself or to others.
Why is accountability important? Accountability is fundamental to your personal success in reaching your goals in life. Accountability provides positive reinforcement for reaching your goals--it is the glue that ties commitment to the result.
There are two types of accountability and both are important. There is "personal accountability", in which you hold yourself accountable without reliance on others, and there is "structured accountability" in which you have an accountability partner or group of accountability partners who help hold you accountable. Having structured accountability will help increase your chances of success in meeting your goals...we need each other. Whether it's a team of people with similar goals, a friend, a coach, a trainer, your significant other or family member, I encourage you to find an accountability partner. I have a couple of very reliable workout partners who push me hard and coaches to whom I answer to...accountability partners help us succeed. Not only is "structured accountability" important, but equally important is "personal accountability". While we need each other to achieve goals, ultimately, your goals are your own and are up to you to achieve them. No one can do it for you. Achieving goals takes hard work, discipline and commitment. You must own your choices. Whether you choose effort or excuses is up to you. The recipe for success is having both structured and personal accountability.
3 Key Points:
1. Don't go it alone. There is strength in numbers. Find a partner, a buddy, a group exercise class, or some method of structured accountability.
2. Don't make excuses. Have self-accountability. There are no excuses. There are only choices. Own your decisions. Own your goals.
3. Never give up.