It’s That Time

Every month, if I have not submitted an article for my LinkedIn page, I get an email. There is nothing typed in the body of the email, but the subject line reads “It’s that time”. That’s all my Executive Coach needs to say to keep me accountable and disciplined in my writing. As soon as I see it, I know I need to get busy.

There are many areas of my life where I am self-disciplined. Brushing my teeth, turning off lights, and keeping to a routine are a few tasks where my parents held me accountable as I grew up. That accountability led to habit, which led to self-discipline. For less routine habits, keeping disciplined often takes accountability from another person.

Consider what you want to accomplish. What is holding you back? Are you like me and do you have a list of things you’ll get to “one day”? There are ways to turn those lists into actions.

Set Goals

It starts with setting a goal. Define what you want to accomplish, when you want it done, and what you need to do to get there.

Write it Down

When you know what you want to accomplish, you are far more likely to complete it if you write it down. I am a list maker, so writing things down helps me immensely. I get great satisfaction in being able to cross something off my list. You may even get creative to find ways to keep you accountable. I happen to dislike clutter, so if I write a goal or task on a sticky note and put it near my computer, I will work hard to accomplish that task just so I can throw away the note. Take time to consider what might work well for you.

Let Someone Know

Next, if you have trouble getting through a written list, be sure to tell someone about your task. That’s what happens with my coach. He knows I want to get an article out each month and that I will eventually build those up into a book. His simple reminders to me ensure that I stay on track and accomplish that goal. Just be careful not to gripe at your accountability partner when they do what you asked them to do!

Find a Structure

Finally, set up structures to reduce distractions and create discipline for you to accomplish your goals. For some, what works is to plan a reward of some sort for when the goal is complete. Others may just close the door, turn off the phone, and pull the curtains to block out potential distractions. The trick is to find what works well for you to keep you on task.

Accountability and self-discipline can happen if you set yourself up for success. Find out what works best for you to keep you moving forward and start doing it today!