Accountability—3 Tips to Get Some

One reason I have found that New Year’s Resolutions (and other big life-change proclamations) don’t get accomplished is a lack of accountability. 

There is no one following up with us, seeing how we are progressing along the way, reminding us of what we want to accomplish.

I find that even the most responsible, dependable, follow-through to the nth degree people are good with letting things slide if she or he is the only one affected. 

How did we learn that it was okay to disappoint ourselves? Why are we last on our own priority list?  And how can we get the support and accountability to become our best selves?

3 tips to get some accountability going:

1—Go Public

Using social media is one way to put out your commitment to the world and have your friends, followers or like-minded others cheer you on. I have seen this work well with commitments to weight loss, exercise, cooking more, and daily gratitude as people post their progress at regular intervals and get support and encouragement along the way. 

The upside is that your reporting on social media adds to the incentive to keep going.  The downside can be the very public aspect of social media.  If your life circumstances change or you just aren’t keeping on your path—everyone will know it.

2—Get an Accountability Partner

Having an accountability partner can be a great way to get, and potentially give, support on the journey to changing habits or achieving a goal.

Decide the parameters of your partnership. How often will you communicate and in what format?  Is the partnership solely about you achieving your goal or do you both want accountability? 

I have found that having an accountability partner who is also a coach who is growing his business has been hugely helpful for me.  We set out 2-weeks worth tasks for ourselves. We push each other to stretch a bit farther.  We share resources and ideas all in a quick 30-40 minute call twice a month.

3—Hire a Coach

Shocking I would suggest this, I know, but I continually hear from my clients that it is the accountability aspect of coaching that is one of the most valuable.  I know that I don’t want to fail to do the work I have set out for myself and then get asked about it by my coach. 

My coach actually takes me seriously when I say I will get something done and treats me like I’m worth achieving my goals.  My coach also questions me when I get overly ambitious and helps me set sane boundaries around work and personal time. I also find it helpful to have someone reminding me that personal, fun, just-me goals are important too!

With a coach, it is all about you.  A coach keeps an eye on your big picture; sees when you may be getting stuck and helps you get back on track.  The accountability, customized support and push to have you move out of your comfort zone to where the magic actually happens, are all great benefits of having a coach.

If you are considering a coach, click here for a complimentary session to see if my coaching is right for you!

Be well,

Carol

Are You Lazy or Doing Too Much at Once?

Procrastination, laziness, lack of discipline--I keep hearing these themes over and over again from my clients.  Complaints of time-management issues, not being able to stay on top of email, exercise, moving forward with a business plan, getting that dream project launched, or those odd tasks that have been put-off for months at this point.  Why do we delay the joy of checking off that long avoided task? What is stopping us from taking one step closer to accomplishing our goals?

What is really going on here?  Many times, the culprit is Multi-Tasking.

More and more our lives--be it at the office, home, or on the go--are being overwhelmed by the "convenience" of alerts from email, texts, Facebook, Twitter, stocks, LinkedIn, news feeds, eBay, Instagram, and more. We are becoming addicted to the excitement of "what is happening now" and the fear of missing out.  Will kittens die if you don't answer that email or text within 30-seconds from receiving it? No? Then don't!

Here is a secret--you get to be the boss of your time most of the time.

How can we bring our best to any given task if we can't give it our full-attention?  Do we even remember full-attention anymore?  Writing without interruption, or a conversation/meeting without electronic devices, or a smart-phone/tablet/laptop-free meal--sound familiar?

I don't find that most of my clients are lazy but unable to commit a block of time to one task at a time.  If your quest is to "get things done" try some single-focused attention.

1. Turn off your email, alerts, and silence your phone. 
2. Breathe.  
3. Choose a task from your To Do list.
4. Set a timer for 25 minutes. 
5. Work on that one task.  
6. If you complete your task before the time is up, choose another task and begin.
7. If the timer goes off before you are done, either: 
8. A. Set the timer for another 25 minutes, and continue or 
9. B. Set the timer for 5 minutes. Check and respond to email/texts/voicemail.
10. Celebrate each task completed by crossing it off your list, get-up and move around/stretch.
11. Start over at the top

This method works with personal tasks, as well as work tasks. It is long enough to actually get stuff done, and short enough that important emails/calls/texts can get addressed when the timer goes off.

When you dedicate a block of time to your tasks you set yourself up for success--things get done, self-esteem goes up, stress goes down. Win, win, win!

And don't forget: make sure that you and your goals/dreams are on your To Do list.  It is so easy to put everyone else first. If you aren't creating the life you have dreamed of--who is going to do it?  Break your goals down into little chunks, and start doing a bit everyday.  If not now, when?  

Why Not Thrive?

Who am I anyway?

--originally posted Feb 2013
So, who am I, and why is “I Am” such a big part of this site’s design? First, I am Carol Dacey-Charles, a certified co-active coach working with individual clients and teams to help them achieve their goals with greater ease, joy and focus.Metaphorically: I help people lay down their weapons that they use on themselves and others so that creativity and thriving can happen. When we don't have to defend ourselves or attack, there is space for unlimited possibilities to occur. When we stop beating up ourselves, we have the energy and focus to start changing the world.