Accountability: it’s not what you think it is

Accountability is a magic wand. It’s the secret sauce that helps you achieve whatever you want. It practically guarantees you’ll hit your mark. 

And it’s not what you think it is. 

Most people think of accountability as a mechanism to stay on-track, a way to help keep their butt in their seat so they work on what needs to be accomplished. Maybe they team up with an accountability partner. Maybe they schedule reminders for themselves. Maybe it’s the promise of a juicy reward at the end.

Those strategies are great – I recommend them all. But that’s not what accountability is. 

Accountability is a commitment to your vision. 

It’s a commitment you make to yourself that you’re going to focus on something important to you. It’s laying out your path and promising yourself that you’ll see it through to the end. 

Without this commitment, no strategy in the world can help you. 

Years ago, I decided to write a book. The idea was daunting, so I formed a group that met regularly so we could all support each other. We had frequent check-ins, we gave each other feedback and cheered each other on. I was inspired by what my friends were doing and excited to do it too. I had so much support. 

But I never wrote that book. 

I barely even got started. I showed up to all of the meetings, I downloaded a writing app, I blocked off time in my calendar to write. I had everything I needed to stay accountable. 

Everything, except the commitment to myself. 

When I finally sat down to really think about it, I realized I wasn’t excited about it. It was a transitional time where I was moving from one kind of work to another and this book was about the work I was leaving behind. I wanted to say I had written this book, but I didn’t actually want to do it. 

I had zero commitment to myself, so no accountability tips & tricks in the world were going to make it happen. 

As you consider what’s important for you to accomplish, ask yourself how committed you are to your vision. Be honest. 

Once you’re 100% committed, nothing will stop you. But until you’re there, everything is a brick wall.