Dear Friend,
We (live) in a culture where accountability, learning to accept responsibility, admitting mistakes and learning is critical to us.
~Anthony Zinni
So far this year we've reviewed our lessons from 2008, built a vision for 2009, created a plan to support our vision, cleaned our slate so that we have room in our lives for our 2009 dreams and goals. This week I want to ensure we have accountability to reach our goals. As much as we need to be diligent and persevere there will be times when we lose focus of our vision. In these times we need to have appropriate accountability to support us in regaining focus. In fact according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, people who attend meetings lose three times more weight than those who go at it alone! What this means is that when we have support we are more likely to achieve our goals. This week I want to ask you to consider what accountability you can build into your life that will support you in attaining your goals.
5 Questions to Consider
Who in my life will support my vision?
Friends
Family
Loved Ones
Coach
Colleagues
Trainer
Mentor
What activities will serve as accountability?
If your goal is Business Growth
Activities that may hold you accountable: initiating a specific number of sales calls each day, attending valuable networking events each week or month, following-up with potential clients
If your goal is Volunteer Work/Cleaning-Up Tasks
Activities that may hold you accountable: scheduling the dates/times of your work-hours every four weeks, finding inspiring activites, scheduling a party, cleaning up to your favorite music or a book on tape
If your goal is Weight Loss
Activities that may hold you accountable: hiring a personal trainer, attending group meetings, creating a food journal, exercising with a friend or in a group
If your goal is Balance
Activities that may hold you accountable: creating a schedule of when you will work and when you will spend time with family, setting reminders on your calendar, before you say 'Yes' to a new project take 24 hours to consider if this is consistent with all of your goals
When will I have accomplished my goal?
We need specific measurable results to know we've reached our end pointThis means a desired revenue number, a desired weight, a goal of how many hours we will have volunteered, a specific plan for what areas of our home, office, or car must be de-cluttered
Consider some goals may need an end date to aim for as a target
Why is this goal important to me - what is my underlying motivation for achieving this goal?
Consider writing a letter to yourself about why each of your goals are significant to you and what each of them mean to you
For each goal know what your larger motivation is and create a reminder of your motivation - with a picture, with writing, or even little notes around your home
How will I celebrate once I've achieve my goal?
Celebration locks in our success and can act as a "carrot" so to speak encouraging us to persevere
Create a plan of what your celebration will be. If you have a larger goal - allow yourself to have mini-celebrations along the way
Make It Happen
This week take some time to review each of your goals in the context of the five questions above. The fundamental question is, "who or what will provide accountability to keep me on track to reach my goals"! Think creatively to establish the appropriate accountability in your life so that you may accomplish your goals and make 2009 Your Best Year!
Blessings to you,
Margaret.
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