5 Proven Ways to Hold Yourself Accountable
Accountability and discipline are two traits that set high achievers apart. They work hand in hand, reinforcing one another to drive meaningful progress and lasting change. To develop a greater sense of accountability, ask yourself:
Where do I need more discipline to achieve my goals, and how can I hold myself accountable for making consistent progress?
Lasting change often begins with a shift in mindset. If you want to change your behavior, you must first change how you see yourself. Without this internal shift, any behavioral improvements are likely to be short-lived.
Here are five proven strategies to help you hold yourself accountable and make your goals a reality:
5 Proven Ways to Hold Yourself Accountable
1. Find an Accountability Partner or Coach
One of the most effective ways to stay accountable is by involving someone else in your progress. Research from the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) found that the chances of achieving a goal dramatically increase when you involve another person:
- Having an idea: 10% success rate
- Writing it down: 25%
- Publicly committing to it: 40%
- Creating a weekly plan: 50%
- Committing to someone else: 65%
- Setting regular check-ins with an accountability partner: 95%
This data shows that having regular, structured accountability through a partner or coach can exponentially improve your success rate.
2. Set Pre-Commitments
Make it easier to stay on track by setting up your environment to support your goals. This could mean laying out your workout clothes the night before to remove friction for exercising, or putting your phone on “Do Not Disturb” to eliminate distractions during important tasks.
Other examples of pre-commitments include:
- Setting up automatic transfers to savings accounts to build financial discipline.
- Leaving healthy snacks on the counter to encourage better eating habits.
- Creating systems that support consistency, even when your motivation is low.
By preparing in advance, you can make discipline easier and reduce the chances of getting derailed.
3. Focus on “Who” Goals Instead of “Do” Goals
Rather than focusing solely on what you want to do, focus on who you want to become. Identity-based goals are more sustainable because they connect with your core values and sense of self.
For instance, instead of setting a goal to “exercise more,” shift your mindset to, “I’m someone who prioritizes health and fitness.” This change in perspective can help align your daily actions with the person you aspire to be.
4. Schedule Weekly Accountability Meetings
Consistency is key to building long-term success, and regular check-ins can help you stay focused. Schedule a weekly meeting with yourself to review your goals, assess your progress, and make any necessary adjustments.
In addition, having a weekly check-in with a coach or accountability partner can further reinforce your commitment. These meetings give you the opportunity to celebrate wins, troubleshoot setbacks, and reset when needed.
5. Track Your Wins and Setbacks
Progress is rarely linear. There will be ups and downs, but tracking both your successes and challenges will help you stay on course. By reflecting on setbacks, you can learn from them and adjust your approach, rather than letting them discourage you.
Charting your wins also keeps you motivated and reinforces the small victories that lead to larger accomplishments over time.
By incorporating these five strategies—finding an accountability partner, setting pre-commitments, focusing on identity-based goals, scheduling weekly check-ins, and tracking your progress—you can significantly increase your chances of staying accountable and reaching your goals.
Remember, success is built on consistent effort and self-discipline. Accountability is simply the framework that keeps you on track.
Here’s to holding yourself accountable and creating the future you deserve!
–Steve
As a master storyteller, Steve has unparalleled ability to communicate dynamic business and leadership truths through stories, anecdotes and humor. Harness the power of the “number one” predictor of professional success, impact, leadership, high performance and sustainable relationships in business and life. Steve’s highest rated keynote presentation.
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“The purpose of Leadership Quest is to help professionals develop their personal leadership, vision and emotional intelligence. Everyday I strive to help leaders and teams achieve their desired goals in sales productivity, leadership, time maximization, and life-balance. ”
About the Author
Steve Gutzler is the President of Leadership Quest, a Seattle-based leadership development company. Steve is a dynamic, highly-sought-after speaker who has delivered more than 2,500 presentations to a list of clients including Microsoft, Starbucks, the Seattle Seahawks, Pandora Radio, Boeing, Cisco, Starwood Corporation, the Ritz Carlton group, and the U.S. Social Security Administration. He recently was voted #1 by the readership of Huffington Post as the Most Inspirational Leader on Social Media.
A published author on leadership and emotional intelligence, Steve resides near Seattle with his wife Julie where they enjoy time with their three adult children and six grandchildren.
