Do you have a hard time following through or sticking with your goals?  Do you understand that “accountability” will help you, but are struggling to set it up in a way that will actually work for you?  PERFECT!  I’ve got 3 suggestions for accountability that have all played a role in helping me achieve my goals!  Perhaps they will work for you as well.

Accountability is a tricky thing.  Everyone needs it in one form or another.  Some do well to be accountable to themselves, while others (raising my hand) need an outsider to help them stick with their plans.  The problem with finding someone to be accountable to for me, has always been that I didn’t have anyone who I felt comfortable asking.  And anyone who I was close to and could ask was not doing the same things as me, so I didn’t see how they could be of any help in getting me to show up.

Let’s look at 3 different ways you can set up some accountability for yourself, with the help of other people, that have actually worked for me.  And here’s hoping that they will work for you too!

1.  Get An Audience

 Just a couple weeks into 2024, I decided that I wanted to make my bed EVERY DAY.  I have never successfully stuck to a new habit/goal for more than a month or so, but guess what?

This is something I REEEAAALLY wanted to do.  And I have not missed one day.

(Please join me in patting myself on the back!!!)

What was the key to this newfound success?  Well, for one thing I made the decision differently than I ever had in the past.

You see, I didn’t just want to make my bed every day, I wanted to keep my entire house clean every day!  But I knew that any motivation or determination I had to do that would wear off quickly, so I wanted to start ridiculously small!

I told myself that I would make my bed every single day, and that’s it.  If NO other jobs got done, I would feel good about just making my bed.

But my track record for even SMALL new habits is not great, so even though it could have helped, I know that just starting ridiculously small was not what led to my success.

So what was it that helped?  I deemed it an experiment.  I wanted to know if “all the studies” were true.  You know, all that information on how “making your bed correlates with being more productive” and such.

And not only was I curious and hopeful for myself, but I wanted to share it with YOU!  Yes, I was looking for an awesome outcome to write about!  The first couple week’s were easy as usual, then the excitement started to wear off and there were days that I forced myself to go through the motions.  It’s because I had it in the back of my mind that I was going to write a post about it someday that gave me the determination to stick with it until it became a habit.

It’s now easier to do than the first month or so was, but it’s still something I consciously think about and put forth effort in.  I DO NOT get out of bed until I’ve fluffed up the covers and propped up the pillows behind me, then I slip out and straighten things out and add the decorative pillows.  It’s become part of my morning ritual.  (On laundry day, I just strip the sheets immediately and consider that “done” because I know I will have to make up my bed before the day is through).

I don’t know if I’m actually going to write an entire post about the benefits that come from making your bed, but I am satisfied with how far that thought has brought me regardless.

Having an audience in an area that you want to improve upon yourself is one of the BEST ways to set up accountability because not only are you more likely to stick with it and better yourself, but you’re also helping others along the way!

Let me ask you. . . have you ever considered writing a blog?  Or how about a podcast or YouTube channel?  You have so much goodness inside of you and there are people out there who could really benefit from your insights, knowledge, and experiences.

On the YouTube channel Christian Homestead, Jared highlights what President Nielson said at the women’s conference in March 2024.  I believe his offer to promote new creators has expired, but his message to women is still inspiring! You can view it here:

Whether you want to start meal planning regularly and try more new recipes, or stick with your budget better, you could find success for yourself by having to show up for other people.  If the internet is not your cup o’ tea, you could start up a small community workshop through your local library and host a class once or twice a month.  Or perhaps you could gather some friends and family’s email addresses and send out a weekly or monthly newsletter.  (Speaking of, I still haven’t learned how to send out emails, but if you haven’t already signed up to receive them, you can do that on the home page).

Anything that makes you feel like other people are counting on you, or will see your performance is going to do the trick!  If you choose to go this route, I’d say to make sure to have some fun with it along the way!

2.  Meet Up With Someone

 This is the most common type of accountability that we’ve all heard too much of.  But I want to open your eyes to a new perspective on it.

This isn’t always applicable, but when you’re able to, it is most helpful if you are in a position of “if you don’t show up, then the others can’t participate”.  Let me explain…

One winter, my knee was starting to ache and I wanted to get out and walk more.  I thought that walking the halls of the church house sounded like a good option, so I asked around to see if anyone would be interested in joining me.  I was delighted to have a few takers!

No one committed to come every single time, which actually played a big role in my accountability to make sure that I was always there.

I was the only one who had keys to the church at the time, so if I didn’t show up, then I would need to text around and see who was coming and ask them to pick up the spare from the key keeper.

It wasn’t such a huge deal that I couldn’t ever cancel if I actually couldn’t make it, but there were times where I ONLY went because I felt like I had to. 

I remember feeling so sluggish that all I wanted to do was snuggle up and stay in on a snowy morning.  But since I had the keys, I put on my shoes and went out the door.  And I was SO glad after the fact that I had gone!  My day was always better when I started it with some movement and conversations with friends.

I know that is such a specific example, so here are some other ideas:

• Invite them to your house for yoga or whatever it is you want to do together.
• Keep their gym membership card in your possession –You bring it to the gym with you.
• Offer to pick them up every single time.  (Obviously you can still get out of it, but it will take effort to text and say you’re not coming).
• Keep any items/supplies you use in your possession to bring each time.

Being somewhat “in charge” just really puts the pressure on, so when you’re having one of those normal “down days” and you’re running low on determination and motivation, you’ll have a REASON to get going. 

Of course in an actual case of being sick and unable to go, you could politely explain and all will be well.

And if there is no plausible way for you to be in that “power position”, remember that simply having someone expecting you to show up can be helpful as well.

3.  Get an Accountabilibuddy 

An accountabilibuddy is someone who also has a desire to improve, but does not necessarily have the same goals as you.  This is my favorite form of accountability because my personal accountabilibuddy is my little brother!  He calls me on the 16th of every month, and we keep each other in check. 

He tells me what he is working on, and I tell him the things I want to do.  Then we have 30 days to do what we said we would before reporting back.

When we talked in April, I told him that I was having a hard time setting actual “work hours” for myself to progress on my blog, so my goal for the next call was to set my hours and have at least two weeks of working them under my belt.

Well, I got right to planning and decided my work hours, and worked them for a couple days before they fell apart with motherly duties winning over.

Then time passed sooner than I realized, and before I knew it, I was one week away from the 16th.  Knowing that call was coming was the only thing that forced me into doing the thing that I had been WANTING to do for so long!  You see, my brother had made some AMAZING progress the past 2 months in super hard, life changing ways!  And I felt like I really wanted to support his success by keeping my side of things going! 

For, if I wasn’t taking this seriously and holding up my end of the deal, then what would that say to him?  That if he doesn’t feel like keeping his goals, he can quit too?  That’s not what accountabilibuddies do!  They keep each other accountable because they want to see one another succeed!  And in doing so, THEY thrive in reaching their own goals.

My brother wrote that and sent it to me when we first became accountabilibuddies, and I just love it!

There are many ways to set up an accountabilibuddy! 

My brother and I live on opposite sides of the country, so a phone call works great! 

If you live closer, it could be fun to make it a lunch or dinner date! 

Marco Polo is an option if you have opposite schedules.

You can have it be one-on-one or a group!

And you can spice it up and make it fun!

In college, my girlfriends and I would tell each other our goals, and then we’d decide a “punishment” for whoever didn’t stick with their goals for the month.  (It started out as having to buy the others dinner, but we realized the stakes weren’t high enough and it was too easy to slack.  So we upgraded to saying that whoever quit on their goals first, had to let the others do their hair and makeup HOWEVER they wanted to before going out to dinner –and they weren’t allowed to explain or joke about it to the waiter or anyone! Haha.  No one ever quit!)

Also, if it seems like you don’t have anyone in your life who would be interested in being accountabilibuddies, I encourage you to think again and take a chance.  Because when I was searching for someone to help keep me accountable, I almost gave up –thinking that no one really cares about it themselves and anyone who agreed would only be doing me a favor, which doesn’t really work the same.

I don’t remember how it came up with my brother, but I was surprised and excited to finally find someone!

Just ask around and don’t take offense if it doesn’t work out, keep looking and asking and you’ll eventually find someone!  And as if I don’t say this enough, but REMEMBER, you’ve always got MEEEEEE!!!  You have no idea how delighted I would be to become your personal accountabilibuddy!  Or if that’s weird for you, I would also love to play match-maker!  If you let me know that you’d like an accountabilibuddy, and someone else does the same, then I can set you each up with each other!

Conclusion

Remember that the purpose of accountability is to help YOU do what you WANT to do.  I have a friend who truly does not need someone to keep her accountable because she actually follows through with herself, maybe you can relate to that…

I, however, personally STRUGGLE to show up for myself, but I am very dedicated to follow through with what I’ve told other people I will do.  So outside accountability is where it’s at for me!

I have found success in having an audience, meeting up with others, and having an accountabilibuddy!

They’ve all been so great, and I’m thankful for the help they’ve given me!

Do any of these appeal to you?  If so, which one are you most likely to try?

Wishing you success,

Kayleen

SDG

Thank you, thank you, thank you for being here!  If you are enjoying my blog and think you might know someone else who could benefit from it, I would be SUPER GRATEFUL to you if you shared it with them!

Imagine what could happen if you pair accountability with VISUALIZATION!  Check out 3 Reasons Why Visualization Boosts Success!

Also, if you haven’t already joined my email club, make sure to subscribe on the home page!