How can you use positive psychology to improve accountability in remote work?

1 What is accountability?

Accountability is the ability and willingness to take responsibility for your actions and outcomes, and to deliver on your commitments and expectations. Accountability is essential for remote work, as it helps you stay focused, organized, and aligned with your goals and values. Accountability also enhances your credibility, trust, and reputation with your team and your customers. However, accountability is not always easy to maintain, especially when you face distractions, interruptions, or challenges in your remote work environment. How can you increase your accountability and avoid procrastination, confusion, or frustration?

2 How can positive psychology help?

Positive psychology can help you improve your accountability by providing you with evidence-based strategies and tools to enhance your motivation, self-regulation, and resilience. Positive psychology focuses on what makes you thrive and flourish, rather than what makes you suffer or struggle. It helps you identify and leverage your strengths, passions, and values, and to create positive emotions, relationships, and experiences that support your well-being and performance. Positive psychology can also help you cope with stress, setbacks, and uncertainty, and to learn from your mistakes and feedback. Here are some ways you can use positive psychology to improve your accountability in remote work.

3 Set SMART goals

One of the first steps to improve your accountability is to set SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This type of goal setting helps to clarify what you want to achieve, how you will measure your progress and success, whether your goals are realistic and attainable, how your goals align with your purpose and vision, and when you will complete your goals. SMART goals can help you stay focused, motivated, and organized, while also allowing you to track and celebrate your achievements. To set SMART goals, you can use a simple template such as: being specific about what you want to accomplish; making the goal measurable; ensuring that the goal is achievable; making sure it is relevant to your work; and making it time-bound.

4 Use your strengths

Another way to improve your accountability is to use your strengths. Strengths are the positive qualities and skills that you are good at and enjoy doing. Strengths can help you perform better, feel more engaged, and overcome challenges. Strengths can also help you develop a growth mindset, which is the belief that you can improve your abilities and learn new things through effort and feedback. To use your strengths, you can take a strengths assessment, such as the VIA Survey of Character Strengths, to discover your top strengths. Then, you can find ways to apply your strengths to your work tasks and goals, and to seek opportunities to learn and grow from your strengths.

5 Build positive relationships

A third way to improve your accountability is to build positive relationships with your colleagues and clients. These connections and interactions should make you feel supported, valued, and appreciated, while helping you enhance communication, collaboration, and feedback. Furthermore, these relationships can foster trust, empathy, and mutual respect, as well as create a positive work culture and climate. To do this, you can express gratitude by thanking your colleagues and clients for their work, support, and feedback. You can also give praise by recognizing their strengths and skills, and celebrating their successes. Additionally, seek feedback from your colleagues and clients to improve your work and performance. Offer help by providing assistance and guidance when needed. Lastly, stay connected by communicating regularly with them via various channels and platforms to update them on your work and progress.

6 Practice self-care

A fourth way to improve your accountability is to practice self-care. Self-care is the act of taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and meeting your needs and preferences. It can reduce stress, prevent burnout, boost your confidence, creativity, and productivity, and help you cope with challenges and changes. To practice self-care, create a routine and set boundaries. Take short and frequent breaks throughout the day to relax or do something fun or meaningful. Exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes or more. Eat a balanced and nutritious diet that provides you with the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that you need. Finally, make sure to get enough quality sleep every night - aim for seven to nine hours of uninterrupted rest.