I set a goal for 2020 and have fought long and hard from going downstream with the world’s dialog, “This year doesn’t count.” 

No matter the struggles this year has brought, I want it to count. 

Professional speaker and author Jim Rohn once said, “It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind, that determines which way we will go.”

Even with the erratic winds, I am closing one of my best years, and I am not letting up. ? I am studying my 2021 goals and asking myself, What am I planning to start or change to help me reach my destination? 

The answer: Accountability. 

The Power of Accountability

There may have been many reasons why we haven’t been able to implement our plans or reach our goals, but the main reason is the lack of healthy, consistent accountability. 

The American Society of Training and Development (now called the Association for Talent Development) did a study on accountability and found you have a 65% chance of completing a goal if you commit it to someone. And if you have a specific accountability appointment with a person you’ve committed to, you increase your chance of success by up to 95%.

Accountability is powerful.

Time and time again, studies have shown that accountability benefits us in several ways:

1. Accountability accelerates your performance.

When someone is expecting you to come through and complete a task, you’re more likely to get it done quickly or stick to a schedule – even if the other person isn’t directly affected by you completing the task – than if you go it alone. 

2. Accountability helps you measure your success and progress. 

19th-century renowned physicist Lord Kelvin said, “If you can not measure it, you can not improve it.” And isn’t that the truth?!

When taking on big projects with lots of moving parts, it can be hard to see how far we’ve come. Having someone to help remind you of the small successes on the way acts as an extra source of encouragement and pushes you closer to the ultimate finish line.

3. Accountability keeps you engaged. 

When the going gets tough and you want to give up, having an accountability buddy helps you “stay on the horse” and avoid falling off the bandwagon.

Finding Accountability for the New Year

As women, we are passionate about our families, our communities, and our businesses. If you’re anything like me, you believe the new year will produce great things.

I am designing and making space for my goal. I believe this could be the year of tremendous growth both personally and professionally. My ultimate resolution depends heavily on my accountability system – having at least one person in my inner circle that I can confide in about my goals.

Ready to make a change in the new year and reach your goals? Here are my 3 biggest pieces of advice:

1. Go public today. 

Tell your spouse or someone in your inner circle your goals and why you need to achieve them. Write a blog, create a YouTube video, or whip up a Facebook post about your goals and share your progress with your audience. 

2. Add structure. 

Create a routine to record your progress and schedule a date and time to update your inner circle or audience. Keep this date in a place you can see daily.

3. Give permission. 

Allow others to rally around and encourage you. Release your inner circle or audience to hold you accountable. 

Developing an accountability program for your next big goal will help you achieve more than you might have thought. If you want to increase your chance of success by up to 95%, find an accountability partner or group. In no time, you’ll see what a difference it makes.  

Happy Clicking + Planning,