How can you develop accountability in your work?

1 Set SMART goals

One of the first steps to develop accountability is to set SMART goals for yourself and your work. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These criteria help you to define what you want to accomplish, how you will measure your progress, whether your goals are realistic and aligned with your purpose, and when you will complete them. By setting SMART goals, you can clarify your expectations, track your performance, and celebrate your achievements.

2 Seek feedback

Another way to develop accountability is to seek feedback from others, such as your manager, colleagues, clients, or mentors. Feedback is essential for learning, improvement, and growth. It helps you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, to recognize your achievements and mistakes, and to adjust your actions and strategies accordingly. To seek feedback effectively, you need to be open-minded, respectful, and curious. You also need to act on the feedback you receive, by implementing the suggestions, applying the lessons, and thanking the feedback providers.

3 Use tools and systems

A third strategy to develop accountability is to use tools and systems that can help you organize, prioritize, and manage your work. Tools and systems can include digital platforms, apps, calendars, checklists, timers, reminders, or trackers. They can help you to plan your tasks, set deadlines, monitor your progress, review your results, and report your outcomes. By using tools and systems, you can reduce distractions, avoid procrastination, and increase efficiency and effectiveness.