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Accountability tools are critical for achieving goals and success. Last month we talked about ‘Big Hairy Audacious Goals’ (BHAGs) and how having an accountability partner can help you to reach your goals.
Let me share with you two more success tools to help you achieve your goals.
Accountability Tool #1: SMART Goals
When you formulate a goal, you align yourself closer to your core values, and your long-term vision. By using a framework like SMART goals, you can help focus your efforts down the right path to achieving your goals. If you can help to refine your path, you can organize your time better and to utilize the resources within reach to make the most of your life.
- Specific: Take the time and effort to define your goal clearly and don’t be afraid to be extremely particular about your expectations.
- Measurable: Find a way to measure your progress and results so you know exactly where you are on your path.
- Achievable: It is all well and good to create big audacious goals as they will certainly stretch your abilities beyond your comfort zone. Nevertheless, your goals ought to be realistic and achievable.
- Relevant: You will always want to ensure you are making not only realistic, but relevant goals that match your life purpose.
- Timely: Give yourself a time frame. All meaningful goals come complete with a defined target date. When your goals are time-constrained, you create a sense of urgency, which can help you create some momentum.
Momentum
Momentum can be termed as a rare, self-perpetuating phenomenon, a driving force towards your direction. For example, consider a snowball rolling down a hill, It grows bigger and bigger and picks up more speed on its downward movement.
So, how can you build momentum and use its power to achieve your goals?
You don’t necessarily have to take action like a rocket. More often than not, all you need is to start and be consistent.
Ultimately, the actions will require less and less effort to execute as you start to enjoy yourself, build more confidence, and feel more and more empowered as you move closer to achieving your dream life.
Now comes the question “How do I build momentum?” The answer is rather simple:
- START: Commit yourself to take the necessary action
- Break your goals into smaller goals, smaller actions (and an accumulation of smaller wins) can build momentum and produce better outcomes as long as you remain consistent.
- Never focus on outcomes too early. People fail to achieve their objectives because they took action and wanted to review the results, and they quit once they saw they didn’t obtain the desired results.
Accountability to yourself and to an Accountability Partner such as a Coach can be the difference between you imagining your Dream life, to making your Dream Life happen. How many people do you know achieved their success all by themselves?
Accountability Tool #2: Understanding Important vs. Urgent
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The important vs. urgent matrix is credited to US President Dwight Eisenhower who used it to efficiently organize the various tasks he undertook while in office. Eisenhower once said “What is important is seldom urgent and what’s urgent is seldom important.” Dr. Stephen Covey made this concept popular in his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Essentially, this concept categorizes day-to-day tasks in a simple grid:
Quadrant I activities are not only important, but urgent. They will often demand immediate attention and might be regarded as crises. Figure out and clarify your priorities. Brainstorm effective ways to schedule the time you allocate to important vs urgent activities.
Quadrant II is the ideal place to spend most of your time (at least 80%) of your time. These activities can propel you to achieve your BHAG goals. These are the things you know are important to do, but you never seem to have enough time to get to them. Make time for them!
Quadrant III tasks tend to be urgent, but not important. You may often mistake them for being important. As they are urgent, but not important, these actions are merely distractions. These types of issues are ideal for delegation to others.
Quadrant IV tasks that aren’t urgent or important, and hold little value. They will distract you from taking action on urgent and important tasks. Make it a point to eliminate any time you spend on these tasks.
Now you’ve mastered your BHAG, SMART goals, building momentum, and you can define what’s urgent and important, ask yourself whether that’s enough to keep you focused?
Are accountability tools enough?
As mentioned in the ‘single most important tool’ post , you are 100% more likely to reach your goals if you have a plan, and an accountability partner or an accountability support group.
Set yourself up for success, let someone keep you accountable, learn from your setbacks and celebrate your wins.
Whether you’re trying to climb to the top of Mount Everest or you’re trying to reach your business goals to achieve your legacy. Set up your consultation with me to see how an accountability partner could change your life.
Meet Chris Hardwick
Executive Business Coach
For over 20 years I've been helping entrepreneurs and business leaders to realize their dreams and achieve success.
As an entrepreneur, world traveler, adventurer, and motivator, I lead by example. My goal is to inspire you with my passion for life, success and happiness.
