Finding Accountability
I love running. Yes, voluntarily running. Even if no one is chasing me. It's a strange yet perfect balance between calm, peace, and tranquility with an intense, heart-pounding adrenaline rush. It's almost surreal. There is just one problem. The only time I have to run is in the morning. And although I love running, I hate mornings. Every evening I make these grand plans in my mind that I'm going to wake up early, enjoy my morning, go for a run--it'll be great! Then the morning comes. The bed is comfortable and warm. Hitting snooze is like a subconscious reflex I have no control over. Before I know it, it's 6:30 am, and I need to get ready for work.
I had a goal, but day after day, I couldn't seem to get to it. But don't worry. I'll get to it tomorrow. Today was just a busy day. I want to run, so that's a start. I feel motivated, but I just can't do mornings. I'm not wired that way.
Does this sound familiar? Goals with the grandest intention, but the follow-through is not quite what you imagined? Don't be discouraged. It happens to everyone. I mean it. Everyone. When we talk about setting goals, most of our conversations are centered on learning what kind of goals we ought to have, how to set them, change habits, and increase our chances of reaching our goals. But what about accountability?
Chances are if you're struggling to get moving on your goals, you need some accountability. You need feedback and some guardrails to operate in. You need some trusted people that are allowed to call you out, drag you out of bed, hold your feet to the fire, etc. You need to create a culture around you that invites feedback and accountability from others.
I know that I'm not a morning person, so I need that extra nudge (literally) to get out of bed. I need a reminder from another person of the goals I set for myself. I need a cheerleader on the sidelines. But if you want to take your accountability and feedback to the next level, find a person to participate in the goal with you. While I may need someone to push me out of bed from my slumber, I still might get out there on the road, feel a little tired and end up quitting early, not pushing myself. However, suppose I had another person running next to me, challenging me, forcing me to go farther and faster than I thought I could. In that case, I am likely to reach my goal just a bit more quickly.
Bottom line: Few people can accomplish their goals on their own. You need partners, accountability, feedback, and encouragement. Without a strong community of support, your goals will drift out of reach. You might be comfy in bed, but you wouldn't have reached your full potential.
Challenges/Points:
Even with the best of intentions, it is almost impossible to change a habit without the help of others.
We all need trusted people in our lives willing to hold us accountable to our goals--to push us out of bed when we need it.
We all need people to be part of our community of support, encouragement, and feedback.
Questions:
What's at least one goal you have but haven't had the opportunity or motivation to accomplish yet?
Who do you know that can serve as your trusted community to help not just hold you accountable but to encourage and support you?
What else do you need to do to create the necessary culture around you to achieve your goals?
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