Number 1: We get sh*t done.
Beautiful bright souls!
I get the feeling a lot of us are coming out of Winter and into Spring feeling the call to level up and take some action steps towards the big vision? Or at least - actual progress and action steps forward on the thing we really really want.
I know - sometimes getting clear on the thing we want is even a task, we have so many shiny things out here, and other people to distract us..
How are you staying clear on your own wants, needs and desires?
How are you making sure you finish things, and don't just start them?
How do you stay on track with taking action on the things that actually matter?
“You're going to mess up. So instead of trying to be perfect, learn how to be accountable." – Whitney Goodman
Do you struggle to prioritise and plan your daily tasks?
Scheduling the week is easy to say.. but actually do it..
Me too - so I've been working with coaches, mindset techniques and strategies for years to smash this habit and I have a pretty steady regime, all whilst travelling as a digital nomad (I don't clain it to be easy). My nature is to share this to serve other people like me, so - Accountability is a lifeline.
Number 2: Accountability feels icky ..
Let's define accountability because it can sound judgemental and ick. Yes, it can be uncomfortable, that's where the growth begins.
It's simply the act of being responsible for your actions and decisions, and being held to a certain standard (your standard) by yourself or others.
Keeping it real, we all need a little push or encouragement sometimes to stay on track and achieve our goals. Being accountable to a group, or someone we respect, is priceless. It's self development and personal growth in action.
We actually start to own our stuff and get sh*t done.
My words are not simply rhetoric - this comes from feedback & direct experience from my clients and my expert coaching co-hort and community.
Accountability groups and buddies provide a safe and supportive structure for us to define and tackle the big important things in our lives.
By getting clear on our priority, finding some focus, declaring our intentions and commanding our next action steps, we are more likely to move forward and make progress towards our vision.
We will use hacks and techniques to stay on track too.
"Accountability is the glue that ties commitment to the result." – Bob Proctor
Apparently even Albert Einstein had a study buddy who helped him stay focused and motivated.
This said, it's not just anecdotal evidence that supports the benefits of accountability.
Scientific studies have shown that when we have someone to hold us accountable, we are more likely to get clear, and follow through with our commitments. This is because accountability triggers the release of dopamine and seratonin in our brains, which we all know and love as the hormones associated with pleasure and reward.
It's not just about productivity and achieving our goals.
Accountability has a proven positive impact on our overall well-being. By taking a holistic approach to self-development and personal growth, we incorporate self-care and focus on our mindset and daily practices. As you may know - I bang on about self care all the time because it is too easily forgotten in a world where we are conditioned to be the martyr.
Self care is not a reward. Its non negotiable.
Neuroscience has really started to build the bridge between conscious and subconcious mind - it has shown that accountability affects not just the dopamine but also cortisol and oxytocin.
Cortisol is associated with stress, and when we feel accountable to someone else, our cortisol levels decrease - sharing is caring.
Oxytocin is the hormone associated with social bonding and trust, and when we have a sense of accountability to others, our oxytocin levels increase. We feel like we belong and are supported - and that's the thing that we want most, don't we?
Sitting on the sideline waiting for a sign from the universe - isn't going to make it happen.
So, it takes a courageous step. Towards like minded people, who also own their stuff.
Taking a brave step towards speaking up and being responsible for the things we say we are 'gonna' do. When?
When will you travel?
Write the book?
Start the online program?
Leave the job, town, situation?
When is 'one day?'
If you're coping strategy is to avoid it, how many more precious days of your life will you hide for? I'm speaking from experience here, of expert avoidance techniques.
How to incorporate accountability into your life?
It starts with prioritising and planning.
Boring.
Yawn for the entrepreneur who want to be creative, share new ideas etc - BUT - it's not really about the plan iteself, or the outcome.
It's the journey, the process.
As we start planning, we get a feel for what we really want, and set the intention on how we can get there. Plans change, we change. All during the process.
By setting clear goals and breaking them down into actionable steps, you can create a roadmap for success. And by joining an accountability group or having an accountability coach, you can have the support and motivation you need to stay on track, wherever you are at.
Number 3: It's not just about external accountability.
This is YOU.
Only You can practice self-regulation and hold yourself accountable to your own standards.
If they are perfectionist high standards - you'll be getting to know yourself a little better, and maybe even lightening up on yourself.
This means taking responsibility for your own actions and decisions, and being honest with yourself about your progress and setbacks. That can be a tough one - and that's what self development is about. Swallowing the not so good and balancing it with the joy - we can have it all, ditch the old limits now, lets set some new ones.
In the words of Aristotle, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
By making accountability a habit in your life, you can achieve excellence and keep taking the steps towards your full potential.
No, we won't get enlightened overnight. No, we won't immediately become super organised AI gurus by the end of the week.
What we will achieve is:
🔥A renewed sense of vitality,
🔥A pep in our step and a lightnness in the heart.
🔥We will feel clearer because we know we are not alone.
🔥We will feel more motivated and definitely have more momentum.
🔥A sense of direction and anticipation of things to come.
Once this kindling is lit, our internal fire becomes our compass for amazing things and every day magic. Once we get into flow, the synchronicities happen - and we really start to believe in it. We all know, we need to believe in our dreams to achieve them.
So, my lovely life enthusiats, this is why I am an accountability coach, why I have an accountability coach, and why I have an accountability group.
It can be personal or professional development, accountability will help you level up and taste that elusive potential we keep reading about, but we keep putting off. And you may even inspire and motivate others along the way.
As the great Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
I'm all in for making each other feel empowered, motivated, and supported on our journey.
I'm in this for collaboration, community, and getting priority, non negotiable shiz identified - and done.
Message me at clare@clarebelmont.net with your time zone & let's see what magic we can create.
Find some free resources that support all of this good stuff at clarebelmont.net.
Get in touch about any and all of this - I'm lit by my 1:1 work too.