"Accountability breeds response-ability." Stephen R Covey
The real secret to success is not just goal setting; it is not just visualization, managing time, calendars and more employees. The real secret to success is having a system for Accountability! Every great athlete has a coach who holds them accountable to doing the practice they are supposed to be doing in order to be great. If they did not, there are a great many athletes who would just sit back and rest after the big game. But they know they have a coach and teammates they must be accountable to at all times.
There are a great many ways you can create accountability in your life, whichever one you choose make it work for you.
Hire an Accountability Coach — I have several clients I do this for, as all they really need is someone to brainstorm with them and hold them accountable to doing what we discuss. I am so good at it with others, but not so good at holding myself accountable so, I have now hired someone to help me achieve my business goals by being accountable. We hire personal trainers to help us be accountable to our physical fitness goals. Would it not be a good idea to have someone to help us with our businesses?
Get in a Group — I personally offer two one-year programs in which the participants learn and have accountability added in. The groups have a tendency to hold each other accountable, and as the facilitator, I hold the group accountable. This is an economical way to have both the opportunity to learn and implementation.
Find an Accountability Partner — Most people who go on diets or workout plans do it with a partner. It has been proven time and again, those who buddy up are more successful. Find a friend or colleague who will work with you and hold you accountable on a weekly basis. When you find this person, you must give them permission to call you out when you do not do what you committed to do, otherwise it is not effective and you will be two friends talking.
Use a Tool — The Referral Institute has a great tool called the Networking Scorecard. This tool tracks your networking and giving activities. It is a great accountability tool when used consistently especially if you use their program Relate2Profit. This program will help you to track all of your activities, your history and your results. Again, it is a tool you must commit to using or maybe like me, you will have to get an accountability partner to hold you accountable to using the tool!
Whatever your choice, find the method that will work for you as the new year gets closer. Launch it with a method of accountability, and then watch your results double next year!