What Can Accountability Do for You?

If you’re self-employed, as I am, you probably don’t have anyone to report to on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis. Sure, we’re self-starters, we’re proactive. We get stuff done—and in some cases, at least some of the time—we get a lot done.

And we like not having to answer to others and want that freedom and independence. We wouldn’t be in business otherwise.

But I think if we’re honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we don’t always do as much as we could. Sometimes we coast. Sometimes we do what we like to do instead of the most important things to do.

As a recent new Mind Masters member commented “I have been inconsistent and find myself jumping from one thought to another or one task to another…” Does that sound familiar?

There was research done on the top characteristics of CEOs that found 81% shared very strong motivational skills of self-management and personal accountability. As small business owners , wearing all the hats, that picture doesn’t often fit us.

We set goals and plans, but what’s the point of making commitments, or setting a goal if you have no intention of honoring, keeping or achieving them? If you’ve got a great goal, idea or opportunity but no personal accountability to see it through to the end, you really don’t have much!

Accountability serves and protects your character, credibility and commitments. It ensures that what you want to accomplish gets accomplished. Accountability can also become more self-motivating. It is all about integrity, it’s about being as honest with yourself and others as you can be.

Accountability means living by choice, rather than living by accident. It’s an opportunity to carve out the future, rather than sit back and see what happens. Without accountability there are few opportunities for breakthroughs.

When you are accountable to your promises, you are your word; thus, your relationship to others (and the whole world) shifts. Practice noticing how often you break your word and make excuses for it and how having a lack of accountability doesn’t serve you.

It’s already July: there are six months left in this magical year. How well do you rate your ability to motivate yourself and stay accountable for goals big and small? 500 successful CEOs score well, you can do the same.

Barbara Eldridge has built a solid reputation as a Results strategies specialist, within industry and business over the past 40 years. Her unique message, since starting Mind Masters 30 years ago for entrepreneurs and small business owners, continually stresses vision, purpose and values as the key elements of business philosophy. www.mindmasters.com

By Hadley Wood www.hlinwood-insurance.com