Accountability & Goal Setting, How to Go After & Accomplish Your Goals

Hello LinkedIn Community! Let’s talk about Accountability and Goal setting! 

Let me begin by saying that it’s impossible to achieve any goal, without accountability. People set goals all the time; to lose weight, to exercise more, to drink less, to eat healthy, the list goes on and on. So why do those who set a goal of exercising more, for instance, often stop going to the gym within a year? Even the monetary investment of a yearly gym membership doesn’t keep them coming back! Let’s dive right in by starting with Goal Setting…

A goal without a plan as to how it will be accomplished is more like a wish. EVERYTHING that we do has a system around it that we have developed, consciously or unconsciously, that supports its execution. To accomplish anything different than what is currently taking place requires a system that will turn it into something that you actually do. On a daily basis, consistently, over time – which is the only way that any goal turns into a reality. 

• How will you stay motivated? 
• Where will you set aside specific time to work on your goal? 
• What will you do when faced with the temptation to quit? 

These are all things that should be thought of, and planned for, in advance. A new goal will most likely require a new habit, or set of behaviors, that will support it. Here’s a quick 4-step process to form a new habit – 

• Make it OBVIOUS. I’ll use working out in the morning as an example. Lay out your gym clothes at the foot of your bed, along with your sneakers. Keeping them in the closet leaves too much room to hit snooze and go back to bed.
• Make it ATTRACTIVE. Get yourself some cool new workout gear, don’t just pull out the same uninspiring t-shirt & shorts that you already have. Clearly, they haven’t been helpful thus far. 
• Make it EASY. Pick a gym or class, that’s closer rather than further away to start. The longer the trip, the less likely you are to take it. 
• Make it SATISFYING. After your workout is complete, how will you treat yourself? Human beings are wired to continue things that provide a consistent reward. 

Set smaller goals that can be celebrated, en route to your final goal destination. These little moments of celebration, as you continue to move towards your goal, will give you that extra ‘boost’ of motivation and energy that you need to keep on going!