Guest post from Alexa of Single Moms Income
You’re a dreamer and a doer. You set big audacious goals and actually go for them. But, every now and then you find yourself slacking a bit. It happens to the best of us.
However, if you find yourself slacking more often than you should, you need some accountability.
You see, I’m a dreamer and a doer, too. And, from time to time I find myself falling off the bandwagon. What’s helped me push through and achieve my goals (and recently, start my own home based business) is public accountability.
It’s true – accountability works.
If you tell people about your goals and they ask how you’re doing, you are much, much more likely to actually push through and achieve them.
And the thing is, it doesn’t matter what your goals are. Money, business, parenting, career, spiritual – accountability is going to help.If you’ve been struggling with your goals you need accountability.
Don’t know where to find accountability? Here are 5 places you can look:
1. Announce Your Goals to Family
Who cares about your well-being more than your family? Probably no one. That’s why looking for accountability within your family is the best way to start.
If you have a spouse, cousin, or best friend who you think would make regular check-ins with you talk to that person about your goals. Even better, if you can convince your new accountability partner to create goals of their own. This way you can cheer each other on.
2. Post Your Goals on Facebook
If you’re like me and don’t really have a certain family member to hold you accountable you could always post your goals to Facebook.
I’ll admit; this one’s for the brave. But, if you have a lot of Facebook friends posting your goals for everyone to see could be an awesome way to keep yourself accountable. After all, you’re not going to want to publicly announce that you gave up on your goals.
3. Email an Online Acquaintance
Have you exchanged emails with someone you’ve met on a forum or blog? The internet is one of the best ways to connect with like-minded people.
I actually met my accountability buddy online. We started exchanging emails after getting acquainted through my blog and have been doing so for a few months. And, I am so glad we do!
Sometimes it’s really, really hard to meet someone who thinks like you in your day-to-day life. But the internet is a huge place! Those people who think like you and have similar ambitions are probably hanging out in the same place that you are.
You might be surprised how nice it is to have an online accountability partner!
4. Join a Forum or Mastermind Group
There are several internet forums and mastermind group that you can join to find accountability. If you look hard enough, you’re bound to find a dozen or so on the subject of your goal.
Forums are also a great place to find like-minded people. You’ll have the ability to share your goals with other members and to also bounce ideas off of them. Through a forum you might meet the perfect accountability partner.
5. Start a Blog
One of the absolute best ways that I have remained accountable is by announcing my goals and dreams on my blog. I started doing this before anyone ever read it and was instantly motivated every time I hit the “publish” button.
Starting a blog is easy and you can do it for free. If you think announcing your goals to the online world will help you, then don’t delay. Start your own blog!
Whether you are trying to start your own business, grow your blog, pay down debt, be a better parent, or anything else you could possibly think of; the power of accountability will push you closer and closer to reaching your goals.
I also think that the more accountability you have in your life, the better. No need to limit accountability to one source. Push yourself a little outside of your comfort zone and just go for it!
Do you have an accountability partner? If so how did you find him/her?
Alexa Mason is a mother of two, personal finance freelance writer, blogger, and internet entrepreneur. She chronicles her journey as a single mother who is trying to make it big on Single Moms Income. You can visit her blog or sign up for her free newsletter to follow her journey through the world of online entrepreneurship.
I read a great article on LinkedIn in August that makes the opposite case. The article is called “Want to Achieve a Huge Goal? Start By Shutting Up.” The link is here:
http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130819134700-20017018-want-to-achieve-a-huge-goal-start-by-shutting-up
Studies have shown that “people who talk about their intentions are less likely to follow through on those intentions.”
A few months ago, I was worried that I would eat out of control through the holidays. I put up a Facebook status asking if any of my friends wanted to go sugar-free for the rest of the calendar year, and I got an amazing response. I formed a Facebook sugar-free support group and invited the friends who were interested. Since October 1, we’ve set our own “rules” for ourselves, we share successes and hard days, ask for advice, and even share healthy recipes. One friend liked the idea so much she recently started a group for de-clutter support!
My husband helps keep me accountable to my goals. I also have a new blogging mast mind group that I’m really excited about.
Accountability is such an important and wonderful principle. My husband and I are working on paying off six figures worth of law school debt. We are very motivated and positive about our situation. It’s nice to have a built-in accountability partner.
I also blog about our journey to be debt-free. One of the main reasons for starting a blog about our adventures is the accountability. Knowing I will be posting about every cent we earn or spend really makes a difference. I also feel accountable to my readers. I want to share ways to be frugal and pay off debt, which motivates me to be better at it.
I tried to be the one that keeps myself accountable – I have a notebook in which I write my goals and little messages to myself. When I am wondering about something, for example should I buy this or not, or should I go to the gym though I’m so tired, I open the notebook and read the notes to myself about why I’m doing this in the first place – I am my own motivator!
This is a great idea. I need these reminders when my alarm goes off at 4:45am and I don’t want to get up to go to the gym. :\
The website StickK.com is also great for helping you stay accountable!
Thanks for the recommendation!
I love this post! I whole-heartedly agree in the positive outcome of accountability!
Thanks for the great input!!!