A Very Simple Method for Accountability
A few years ago I learned a very simple method for accountability. You decide on a commitment and declare this to an accountability partner. Then you agree to check in with this partner on a regular basis – daily or weekly, depending on the nature of the goal. You can do this check-in by phone and it literally takes less than five minutes.
When you get on the phone, you say to your accountability partner: “My goal is X. Last time we talked, I said I would take the following action to advance towards my goal. I did it. My next action is Y. “ If you did not do it, you say “I did not do it. My next action is Z.”
Your accountability partner does not need to say anything other than “Hello”. They do not need to be a certified coach or have any specific expertise. The power of this process is that you are forced to be honest with yourself in the presence of another human being.
Let’s say you have a goal to write a book. You declare your goal to a partner, then commit to writing 5 pages in the next week. On your check in call, you say “My goal is to write my book by (date) and my commitment is to write 5 pages. I did it.”
If you did it (whatever your goal), you feel the power and reinforcement of positive action. If you didn’t, you are confronted with the reality of your commitment.
It’s that simple – but it can be very powerful.
