How to Be More Accountable to Yourself

You may be accountable to your clients and your family, but how are you at being accountable to yourself?

Do you regularly let yourself down?  Do you fail to live up to the standards you’ve set for yourself? You’re not alone.

Many people struggle to behave in a way that is in line with their values and goals.

Many people make plans that they do not follow or set goals they never come close to achieving. It’s sad but true.

This is not only a frustrating but ineffective way to live. There’s not always going to be someone to hold you accountable. You have to do it yourself.

When you are accountable to yourself, anything is possible!

Here are tips for mastering the art of accountability:

Have A Daily Plan

When you have no plan, you can’t even begin to hold yourself accountable for anything. Start each day with a detailed plan of what you want to accomplish.

This daily list should consist of things that need to be done to bring you closer to achieving your goals.

TAKE ACTION: The first step to self-accountability is a to-do list that you take seriously. Start creating your daily plan today for tomorrow.

Schedule Your Day

A laundry list of tasks isn’t enough. Decide when you are going to do each item on your list. Which is the most important? What needs to take priority?

TAKE ACTION: Create a schedule and hold yourself to it. Start each day with a plan.

Review Your Day

At the end of each day, review how you did. What gets measured gets improved, and by daily reviewing your performance, you can begin to take the steps you need to get better. Make a note of any successes and failures.

And ask yourself:

What can you learn to make your actions more effective?

What did you do well over the day?

What do you know you could have done better?

Reward And Punish Yourself

When you do well, reward yourself. When you’re giving up on your goals for failing to get things done, try punishing yourself.

Most people have little trouble thinking of rewards for themselves but can’t figure out how to “punish” themselves for not following through.

Here are a few ideas for punishments:

●      Don’t allow yourself to watch Netflix for a week.

●      Give some money to a charity you disapprove of.

●      Snap your wrist with a rubber band.

●      Make yourself skip your morning coffee for the week. 

These may sound silly, but giving yourself this form of motivation can help if you cannot keep promises to yourself.

Be Clear On Your Goals

Your to-do list should be largely dependent on your goals.

It’s easy to sit be busy but accomplish little if you don’t have well-defined goals.

You can’t hold yourself accountable if you don’t have something to hold yourself accountable for.

TAKE ACTION: What are your 5 most important goals? Make a list and review it daily. Be able to recite the list without thinking.

Have Others Hold You Accountable

Whether you’re training for a 5k or trying to buy your first rental property, it’s helpful to let others know your plans.

You may be more inclined to follow through rather than letting down those you told about your plans.

TAKE ACTION:  Who can hold you accountable? Who really wants to see you succeed?

Be selective on who you choose for your accountability partner.

It would be nice to have a drill sergeant to hold us accountable each day. Unfortunately, we have to learn to manage ourselves.

What could you accomplish if you could hold yourself accountable each day? The sky would be the limit.

Make today the day you begin to hold yourself responsible in every area of your life.

Be accountable to yourself, and you will be amazed at what you can achieve!