Ever notice how easy it is to slip into a never-ending cycle of procrastination when no one else is paying attention? That’s because when no one knows what your goals are and you’re the only one tracking your progress, it’s easy to just put off the work. Other than letting yourself down, there are little to no consequences to you not completing your tasks.
This is nothing to be ashamed of; high performers procrastinate all the time. But what they do differently is that they have accountability systems in place to keep them from procrastinating for too long.
Whether it be an accountability buddy or being part of an accountability group — this could be the secret to make sure you are actually getting things done. Here are 6 reasons why this method works so well.
1. INCREASED COMMITMENT
When you are held accountable by others, you feel a stronger sense of commitment to your goals. Part of the reason why is that you want to save face and avoid disappointing the people who are keeping you accountable. This adds a healthy amount of pressure for you to get the work done. As a result, you become more dedicated and motivated to take consistent action and overcome obstacles along the way.
2. IMPROVED FOCUS AND CLARITY
Accountability forces you to clarify your objectives, create action plans, and prioritize tasks, ensuring that you are consistently working towards what you want to achieve. This makes it easier to work towards the one big thing you need to accomplish.
3. INCREASED SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY
Being accountable means taking ownership of your actions and their outcomes. You become more responsible for your progress and are less likely to make excuses or blame external factors. In other words, you are less likely to tell yourself stories where you are a victim and there is nothing that you can do about the situations you are in. Being held accountable to your goals helps create an empowering mindset where you take proactive steps to overcome challenges and make necessary adjustments to stay on track.
4. CONTINUOUS FEEDBACK AND SUPPORT
When others are holding you accountable to your goals, you usually spend quite a bit of time sharing your progress with them. Throughout these updates on your progress, you can actively seek guidance from those you are sharing your progress with. This provides an opportunity to receive valuable feedback, insights, and support.
Sometimes, there are also blind spots in our plan and people with an outsider perspective see it before you do. Them providing you with constructive feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to ensure you’re on the right path.
5. ENCOURAGEMENT TO OVERCOME PROCRASTINATION
Accountability is a powerful antidote to procrastination. When you know that you have someone to report back to about the deadlines you have set for yourself and the milestones you need to achieve, you are less likely to put off tasks that are necessary for goal attainment.
6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MILESTONES
Lastly, accountability for your progress also equates to accountability for your achievements. As you accomplish important milestones, having an accountability system means you have other people to point out the success you may usually brush off. Given that recognizing your achievements reinforces positive behavior and motivates you to keep pushing forward, this is a huge reason why accountability systems work in the long term.
All in all, it’s easy to dodge responsibilities, but it’s not easy to dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities – especially when you have people holding you accountable.
Accountability creates a structured and supportive environment that enhances your commitment, focus, responsibility, and motivation, increasing your chances of successfully reaching your goals. If you’re looking to join an accountability group, check out our accountability program here.