Personal accountability might be easier when you have a boss at work to keep you accountable or when you’re completing the non-negotiable tasks for your customers, suppliers, and staff… but are you accountable to yourself?
Do you regularly let yourself down or fail to live up to the standards you’ve set for yourself?
If so, you’re not alone!
These pink blocks represent the activities you’re participating in. Does this chart resonate with you? Many people think they’re starting off on the right foot with their approach to productivity, but the trick is really to start at your end goal.
What is your end goal?
Keep in mind the result you’re trying to achieve and work backwards from there to figure out what steps you need to take, and in what sequence, to successfully accomplish that goal.
Momentum
If you encounter an obstacle or challenge that makes you question your process, that’s great! Keep an open mind and know that these are opportunities for you to adjust and improve your process. Obstacles are inevitable and necessary in any self-development or business process. Don’t lose momentum, keep at it and you will eventually be able to solve your problems and move on.
Progress is progress…
Business isn’t always exciting…
It’s okay if you get bored once in a while. What’s truly exciting for us, as businesspeople, is getting results for our customers, solving their problems, and building relationships with staff and suppliers.
No one thinks debtors or credit control is exciting because those are the things you want to be quietly handled in the background, giving you freedom to do the more exciting tasks on your to-do list.
Most people struggle to behave in a way that is congruent with their values and goals… but why?
Perhaps our goals are too big or too unrealistic, we’re looking too far into the future, or spending too much time focusing on the present while ignoring the future. This can be a hard balance to maintain. Existing in a cycle of underachievement is a frustrating and ineffective way to live, right?
As entrepreneurs and business owners, we have the power to keep ourselves accountable and, through this, create lasting change in the world. We must be the ones keeping ourselves accountable.
Challenge:
Think about your current to-do list and what helps you stay on top of it. What are your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to accountability and productivity?
Want to aim higher and achieve more?
Here are 6 tips to help you keep yourself accountable:
1. Set a goal and create a plan
- A plan is where you turn your goal achievement into tasks.
- If you don’t have a plan, you can’t hold yourself accountable to anything.
- Start each week with a plan of what you want to accomplish – make it iterative.
2. Prioritise your time
- Set aside time to plan and review.
- Set aside time on your calendar and create deadlines for tasks.
- Make completion of tasks non-negotiable.
3. Review your performance
- Review your performance each week.
- Make notes of your successes and failures.
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- What can you learn to make you more effective?
- What do you feel good about?
- How do you feel about your performance?
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4. Reward and punish yourself
- When you do well, give yourself a reward.
- When you’re not performing up to your standards, let there be a consequence.
- Most people don’t have trouble thinking of rewards, but there must also be consequences.
5. Be aware of the impact of your actions
- Measure a few key performance indicators.
- Periodically and consistently review key performance indicators.
- Give the numbers context by comparing them against a benchmark (budget, last year, what feels good…)
- Ask, “So what now? What does that mean? What will this information lead me to?”
6. Think outwards
- Let other people know your plans.
- Think of who will hold you accountable without trying to sabotage your efforts.
- You might be more inclined to take action rather than suffer the embarrassment of failure (even though we know failure is a positive/helpful thing!).
Challenge:
What would you be capable of accomplishing if you could hold yourself more accountable?
Conclusion
We don’t have (or want) a drill sergeant to hold us accountable each day, leaving us one option… we must manage ourselves! Self-accountability is one of the most important skills entrepreneurs and business owners can have. Accountability allows us to achieve more, acquire new skills, learn from our mistakes, and truly make our dreams our reality.
Take these personal accountability tips, implement them into your life, and watch your goals be accomplished. Remember your strengths and weaknesses around productivity and figure out your most efficient and reliable ways of getting stuff done. It may take some time to get the hang of it, as anything we learn and practice does, but you are totally capable.
Has this article got you thinking about your business and how you want to grab the reins and drive it forward but you struggle to find the time or feel that you lack the skills or knowledge to do so?
Are you looking at your screen wondering how or if Good2Great could possibly help you to build a better future for you and your company?
If so, why not check out free ways to learn more either in the fun but growth focussed ‘Friday Hub Zoom Room‘ or let’s meet and chat about your business – it’s our passion after all! Just click this link, it will show you availability in my calendar – just grab a slot that suits you and it will automatically set up and schedule a Zoom meeting and send all the necessary invitations to calendars and email… https://bit.ly/meetingwithjohnny
OR – perhaps you’re still at the start of your business journey – check out Business Start Up Masterclasses
