Accountability - what's in it for you?

This weekend I woke up and decided to go for a swim before breakfast and test a fasted workout theory (more on that another day). I brazenly told my husband that I was off to swim 50 laps. About nine laps in, I started re-thinking my goal - 50 seemed so far away and I wasn't sure I could make it. So I toyed with the idea of stopping at 30. But a few laps later, my husband wanders by and asks what lap I'm at. 'Seventeen out of 50? Wow, that's pretty good.' And just like that, I was re-committed to my goal of 50. Whether he realised it or not, my husband's idle comment kept me accountable to that goal and helped me achieved it. Do you have someone like that who helps you stick to the path? What can you do to make sure you keep your goals once they're set?

1. Call someone who cares

I'm fairly competitive and I don't like people knowing that I set out do something but didn't do it. So if I really want to achieve a goal, I make a habit of telling people about it. Sometimes I tell lots of people so that I'm constantly reminded. Other times, I will tell only a handful of people, usually those I don't want to disappoint. The key to this strategy is choosing people who care enough to ask how it's going. If they can provide motivation and encouragement too, that's even better.

2. Share the journey, not just the goal

After you've told your goal to someone who cares, the next question should be 'how are you going to do it?'. Telling people the whole process makes sure they can ask about the details instead of the final outcome. For example, your goal might be a 25-minute 5k by Christmas, and as part of your training, you're doing sprint intervals this month. In this case, people who care would typically ask about the sprint training rather than the 5k itself. That helps you keep the focus on the behaviour you need to achieve the goal, rather than the outcome. (If you have no idea what I'm on about, check out the earlier goal-setting post).

3. Tell them, then tell them again

Setting out to achieve your goals can be a long and lonely road, so bring some company for the ride! When you share the process with people, you might need to repeat the details. However, if you've selected the right person or group to be accountable to, they will definitely understand the need to provide on-going support.

4. Celebrate!

If you're really lucky, the people holding you accountable will have already planned out how to celebrate. And who better to celebrate the milestones and achievements with than the people who helped you reach them?

Still wondering if accountability is worth it? Think you can achieve your goals without it? Try both, and let me know how it goes.

#train