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Holding Yourself Accountable to Achieving your Goals

Business experts including Forbes and Entrepreneur agree that accountability is the key to achieving your goals. Whether you are building a culture of accountability within your organization or looking to achieve your personal goals, incorporating accountability tools into your goal setting process will improve your performance and overall success. In this article, I review the definition of accountability and identify three practices you can use to hold yourself accountable for achieving your goals.

What is Accountability & Why is it Important?

On a personal level, accountability is defined as an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions. Within an organization, creating a culture of accountability means setting a common expectation and holding people to it by clearly defining the company’s mission, core values, and goals. Accountability promotes ownership and confidence by teaching individuals to take pride in their work and stand behind their results—whether those results are good or bad. As a result, there is a higher level of trust within a community or organization when you foster a culture of accountability. Individuals will either own up to their mistakes and try to improve or take pride in their achievements and continue to produce strong results.

Accountability also improves overall performance. If someone commits to results and shares this commitment with others, he or she is more likely to follow through on those commitments. A study from The American Society of Training and Development reported that having a specific accountability appointment with another individual increases the chance of completing one’s goal by up to 95%. ASTD made the following conclusions:

·         Having an idea or goal: 10% likely to complete the goal

·         Consciously deciding that you will do it: 25% completion

·         Deciding when you will do it: 40% completion

·         Planning how to do it: 50% completion

·         Committing to someone that you will do it: 65% completion

·         Having a specific accountability appointment with someone you’ve committed to: 95% completion

I refer to this person as an accountabilibuddy. An accountabilibuddy knows what goals you are pursuing and checks in with you regularly to see if you are on or off track. During this accountability check-in, it is important to reflect on areas of strength and weakness and solidify next steps.

How Can I Hold Myself Accountable?

To hold yourself accountable to achieving your goals, it is important to set clear expectations, measure your progress, and review your results.

1.       Set Clear Goals with High Expectations

A system of accountability is not developed by setting a low bar (or moving the bar lower when things get tough). Rather, it is created by setting the bar high and developing S.M.A.R.T goals that will help you reach it. To review, the S.M.A.R.T. acronym stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound (for more on S.M.A.R.T. goals, refer to my post on Setting Healthy New Year’s Resolutions). To hold yourself accountable, set exciting and challenging goals that are clear and quantifiable. That way, once the time comes to evaluate yourself, there is no gray area or room for excuses.

CVC Tools: To set clear, S.M.A.R.T. goals, download the Cristal Victoria Consulting Goal Setting Vision Bundle or S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting tool set.

2.       Measure Progress

Once you have your S.M.A.R.T. goals, it is important to track your progress over time. Set benchmarks for yourself by breaking your goals down into smaller action steps. It would be a shame to get to your deadline and realize you’ve just missed the mark when you could have addressed issues before hand. I recommend daily, weekly, or monthly progress checks, depending on the goal in question. If you have a goal to increase your daily steps, checking your pedometer/fitness app and recording your steps daily may be the best route to take. If you have a weight loss goal, weighing in once a week may make for sense for you. If you have a goal of reading 50 books within the year, checking progress once a month may be most appropriate.

CVC Tools: The Cristal Victoria Goal Setting Traction Bundle includes a tracker for every personality type. Try a variety of habit trackers to see what works best for you or download the Goal Atlas Tool (my personal favorite) that lets you record daily, weekly, and monthly progress all on one page!

3.       Review Results

Sit down with an accountabilibuddy regularly to review your results. Celebrate your wins, address your weaknesses, and make a plan to achieve your desired outcome. Depending on the goals you’ve set, accountabilibuddy check-ins can be quarterly, monthly, weekly, or even daily.

CVC Tools: The Cristal Victoria Accountabilibuddy Questionnaire asks questions that will help you and your buddy dig into your goal progress and maintain momentum. The Accountability set includes 10 questions designed to get you back on track when you are not getting the results you desire.

There you have it! Setting clear expectations, measuring your progress, and reviewing your results are the best ways to hold yourself (and your tribe) accountable. For more goal setting tips and tricks, follow @cristalvictoria on Instagram and visit the Cristal Victoria Shop to pick up your tools today!

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand, express, and manage one’s emotions. Emotional intelligence also encompasses one’s capacity to handle interpersonal relationships carefully and empathetically. With strong emotional intelligence, you can build strong relationships, achieve your personal and professional goals, make sound decisions, communicate effectively, use problem solving skills, and even preform more successfully academically and professionally. Who wouldn’t want that?  

Helpguide.org breaks down emotional intelligence into four components: self-management, self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship management. Self-management is the ability to control your emotions and actions, adapt, and follow through on commitments. Self-awareness is being conscious of your feelings and thoughts and how they motivate your behavior. Social awareness is your ability to empathize with others and pick up on emotional and social cues. Finally, having strong relationship management skills means you can develop and maintain strong relationships, use teamwork, and manage conflict. Together, these skills are referred to as emotional intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence & Goalsetting

So, why is emotional intelligence important? In short, having a strong EQ is the key to achieving success in life. Having a high intelligence quotient (IQ) alone does not guarantee success. While your IQ helps you with your academics, forming successful relationships and managing your emotions are part of your EQ. Emotional intelligence affects your school and work performance, physical and mental health, and your relationships. It is also an important factor when it comes to following through on your goals.

According to Jennifer Shirkani, author and EQ expert, “emotional intelligence is a critical factor in effective goal setting that is often forgotten.” Here are some ways having strong EI can help you reach your goals:

Self-Awareness

When setting goals, it is important to know your own limitations and practice self-awareness. As you write S.M.A.R.T. goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound), think of what goals are reasonable and attainable. While setting goals that stretch and challenge you is good practice, attempting to do too much too soon may lead to frustration and demotivation.

Relationships

Relationship management is another important factor when goalsetting, especially when you are working on a team. Practice empathy when assisting colleagues who are struggling formulating their S.M.A.R.T. goals. Try to see issues from others’ point of view. If necessary, decide how timescales can be adjusted or resources can be reallocated to help your teammate reach success. It is also important to hold others on your team accountable through accountability partnerships. Inc.com writes, “Using situational awareness, find opportunities to articulate your goals to others who can both challenge you if they see you slipping and support you when you need it.”

Self-Management

Keep your emotions in check when working towards your goals by celebrating your wins. Not reaching a target can be discouraging. When feeling defeated, focus on what you have accomplished and “use that positive emotion to fuel confidence and maintain momentum” (Inc.com). Recognizing your progress and staying positive will keep you going even when the going gets tough. Build your self-management skills by practicing mindfulness, expressing gratitude, and keeping a growth mindset.

Cristal Victoria Consulting (CVC) & EQ

What CVC tools can help you build your EQ?

• Build Self-Awareness Skills: S.M.A.R.T. Goal

This S.M.A.R.T. Goal set walks individuals through building S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timebound), and includes a blank template for recording up to 10 goals. The set can be used independently or as a planner insert with an existing system. This is a great instructional template for those new to goal setting.

• Build Relationship Management Skills: Accountabilibuddy Set

There is no doubt about it—accountability accelerates your performance. Studies show that your odds of completing a goal are substantially increased if you make a commitment to someone. While you may not be comfortable with publicly broadcasting your goals, sharing them with at least one trusted individual is highly recommended. We call this individual your accountabilibuddy. The CVC Accountabilibuddy Questionnaire includes an accountability guide and 10-question questionnaire to use with your goal accountabilibuddy on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis.

• Build Self-Management Skills: Goal Atlas Tracker

This Goal Setting Tool & Planner Insert is designed to help individuals track their monthly goals as well as weekly and daily habits. The template also allows gives users space to write down their priority for the month and notes. Use the notes section to celebrate your wins for the month!

Visit the Cristal Victoria shop for more goal setting tools!

“You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero is a dynamic and empowering self-help book that lives up to its title. With an engaging writing style and a no-nonsense approach to personal growth, Sincero delivers a dose of motivation that can help anyone unleash their inner badass.

Sincero’s book is chock-full of inspirational gems that resonate deeply with readers. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “Our fantasies are the most revealing peepholes into who we are and what we think is awesome. No matter how out-there and ridiculous they may seem, they mean something to us, and usually represent our biggest and best versions of ourselves.” This quote underscores the importance of embracing our wildest dreams and desires as a reflection of our true selves. Sincero encourages readers to dare to dream big, to acknowledge their desires without judgment, and to use them as powerful tools for personal transformation.

Another standout quote from the book is, “Lame, vague goals are the best ways to live a lame, vague life.” This statement is a wake-up call for anyone who has settled for mediocrity or been hesitant to pursue their passions. Sincero reminds us that setting specific, ambitious goals is the key to leading a life filled with purpose and excitement. Her message is clear: it’s time to ditch the ordinary and aim for the extraordinary.

One of the book’s unique strengths is its focus on manifesting money. Sincero emphasizes the importance of writing specific mantras to manifest financial abundance. She not only provides practical steps for changing one’s mindset about money but also guides readers in crafting personal mantras that align with their financial goals. This approach ties seamlessly into the broader theme of manifestation and goal setting.

Sincero’s teachings on manifestation and goal setting are at the core of “You Are a Badass.” She encourages readers to embrace the power of positive thinking, visualization, and self-affirmation. By fostering a mindset of abundance and self-belief, Sincero believes we can attract the opportunities and resources needed to achieve our goals.

What sets this book apart is Sincero’s relatability. She openly shares her own journey of self-discovery, complete with the ups and downs, which makes her advice feel genuine and attainable. She doesn’t preach from an ivory tower but speaks from the trenches, which makes her a trustworthy guide on the path to personal growth and empowerment.

In summary, “You Are a Badass” is a refreshing and transformative read that encourages readers to break free from self-limiting beliefs, pursue their dreams, and manifest the life they desire. Jen Sincero’s wit, wisdom, and practical advice make this book a must-read for anyone seeking to revitalize their self-confidence, set and achieve meaningful goals, and embrace their inner badass. Whether you’re looking to transform your financial situation or simply want to cultivate a more empowered mindset, this book offers valuable insights and tools to help you on your journey to greatness.