Why Accountability Matters
The American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) did a study on accountability and found that you have a 65% chance of completing a goal if you commit to someone. And if you have a specific accountability appointment with a person you've committed to, you will increase your chance of success by up to 95%.
As a Life Coach, I find this research fascinating.
Why?
Many People Keep Their Goals to Themselves
So many people I know keep their goals a secret. They aren’t vocal about their weight loss journey, the business that they’re building, their financial goals, or anything else they’re striving to achieve. Why? Because it puts you in a vulnerable position! People KNOW you are striving for something, and if you fail, they are all going to watch you fall on your face.
While it puts you in a position that feels vulnerable or uncomfortable, verbalizing your goals out loud to friends and family members makes them more REAL. When you speak them out loud, they become tangible. Your motivation for reaching them becomes extrinsic. I once heard a client say, “Well, I told my boss I’m going to run an ultramarathon, so I guess I have to now.” The very act of articulating it out loud to someone made it more tangible and real for her. The stakes went up. (Psst- she did end up actually running the ultramarathon!)
It also makes you more self-accountable for accomplishing your goal. On hard days - because trust me, there will be hard days - it’s easier to hold yourself accountable, push yourself, and keep yourself disciplined when you know that you’ve already verbalized a specific goal that you’re working towards.
Outside Accountability, Support, & Perspective Really Matter
The second part of that research about an accountability appointment is what I truly find fascinating. As a Life Coach, my whole job is to have accountability appointments with the women I work with! Knowing that an accountability appointment makes it 95% likely that someone will succeed in achieving a goal is extremely encouraging!
With this statistic, I view getting accountability as a no-brainer.
Getting support and accountability can be one of the most effective ways to achieve goals you have for yourself. Whatever your goals are - financial, personal, health-related, career, etc. - accountability is the key to success. On a health journey? Hire a nutritionist, personal trainer, or Health Coach. Starting a new business? Hire a Business Coach, consultant, or marketing specialist. These professionals can not only provide guidance and direction, but also hold you accountable in pursuing your goals.
Lastly, you don’t have to do everything by trial and error. Seek guidance from those who have expertise. Maybe they already have what you want. Maybe they’ve been on some version of your journey and are now on the other side. Maybe they have skills and experience that you yourself don’t already have. Find support and accountability from someone who has been there and can help you.
