Accountability and Why You Need It

You have great goals for 2016, admirable, exciting, realistic goals.  You are ready to attack them and are sure you are going to do it this year.  So, what usually happens to all of us? We bloom early and fade fast!  So, how can you keep your momentum when you start to wane in your commitment?   Accountability. 

The concept of accountability is a proven strategy to help people achieve their goals.  
Think about it - Weight Watchers, Alcoholics Anonymous, Personal Trainers, Business Year End Reviews.  All of these and many more are ways groups, companies and individuals have accountability.  When we are transparent in what we are trying to achieve and have someone cheering us on, we are more likely to continue to work on a goal.  When we are trying to reach that goal on our own, we are less likely to be a strong cheerleader for ourselves for very long.  

Personally, I am working on getting 10,000 steps in each day as part of my weight loss and health goal.  I have friends who have the same exercise band that counts our steps.  I can see their total number of steps and they can see mine.  I can tell you, when I see I am falling behind, in my number of steps it motivates me to get up and go take a walk!  

What are your 2016 goals? 
Who can you get to help you?  
Who can you find to be your accountability partner?  

It can be as simple as checking in with someone each week,  or finding fitness friends to challenge each week, or finding a professional you can be accountable to.   

Whatever your goal, there is someone who helps you reach it......now go find them. 

In the comments below, let me know what your goals are and who you have as your accountability partner.  We can encourage one another!  

Don't Think You Have a Dream, Purpose or Passion? No Problem

(photo by stuartmiles/freedigitalphotos.net)

Read these quotes:

Live your dream and share your passion.

Life is short, live your dream and share your passion.

As soon as you start to pursue your dream, your life wakes up and everything has meaning. ~Barbara Sher~

Dream big dreams, commit to your true passion and you will learn to fly. 

OK, do you feel like a loser yet?  I know when I read the quotes, I certainly do.  These quotes are not in and of themselves bad and will really resonate with many people, but just not with me.  Why don't they touch my soul?  I'm not a dreamer.  I don't "get" how to find my purpose and passion.  Do you feel that way, too?

Let me back up a little bit.  Maybe I do have dreams. 

• Live out my faith authentically
• Be a good wife, mother, G-mama and friend
• Give to others in need. 
• Be successful in my business
• Take a couple of nice trips a year.
• Spend more time with family. 

Do those count as dreams? They certainly don't seem like the Climb Mount Everest kind of dreams, but is that okay?  In a nutshell, those really are my dreams and my passion.  

I am still not 100% sure what my purpose is, but I think it has something to do with doing the best I can at being the person I am designed to be.  Doesn't sound really profound or powerful, right?   

Some people are born knowing they want to be a doctor, lawyer, or movie star.  Some people know they want to go to Africa as missionaries, bungee jump off mountains and swim with sharks in Australia.  Not me.  Even as a little girl, I never really thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I am almost 100% sure I never dreamed about my dream wedding.  As I got a little older,  I remember thinking I wanted to be like Mary Tyler Moore - I liked that she had a job, had a cool apartment and lived in the city!  I remember thinking in high school my dream job was to be a secretary (we didn't call them administrative assistants back in 1977), but it did not seem like I was shooting for the stars. 

But what about those that want to be a great mother or wife? What about those that want to be a volunteer in a school or hold a small Bible study in their home?  What about those that want to be single and enjoy time with friends?  What about those that like to quietly garden or bake?  Why isn't that enough?  

People mistakenly think they have to have these massive dreams, purpose and passion, when they really might already be living the dream, fulfilling their purpose and pursuing their passion.  You do not have to have big dreams and goals to be who you are designed to be and to make a difference in your corner of the world. Remember, we are all unique, one of a kind people and what may seem small to you may not be.  Our lives and decisions have a ripple effect on those around us whether we know it or not.  We are changing lives by what we say and do whether or not we feel like we are. 

If you do have big dreams, purpose and passion - Go for it.  Live it. 

If you do not have "seemingly big" dreams, purpose, and passion - Live, be and don't be embarrassed.  Be the best version of you and you will have fulfilled the role you have in this life. 

Dream big or not.  Spend time figuring out your purpose or not.  Pursue your passion or not. Whatever you do, live your story and walk on your journey intentionally and deliberately.
That really will be enough. 

Why You Won't Reach Your Goal, Even Though You Want To

Wow,  How negative can I be? 

 I've already decided you won't reach the goals you have set for yourself in 2016!!  

What the title should read, but it would have been entirely too long is:

Why You Won't Reach Your Goal, Even Though You Want To, But If You Do These Things You Can Reach Your Goal!

So what are the magic bullets for reaching your goals:

1.  You have to be a little uncomfortable 

Yep, most goals take you out of your comfort zone. 

You have to get up earlier, you have to exert more effort, you have to change old habits, you have to change your way of thinking.  All of those things take you out of the familiar.

2.  You have to really want to change, not because someone wants you to change.

Many of us will set goals because a friend, a spouse, a parent are encouraging us to be different in some way......make some sort of change.  Yes, the change probably would be good for you, but until you are ready and you own it, your exuberance and drive will fizzle very quickly. 

3.  You have to make and schedule time.

Most New Year's goals center around weight loss, getting more organized, gaining financial freedom, practicing more quiet time, etc.  All of those things take effort and time.  So, when have you scheduled time to do these things?  If you say you are going to get up 30 minutes earlier each day, is that when it is warm outside the covers or are you really committed to getting up?  If you say you are going to clean out your closet, when is that non-negotiable appointment on your calendar?

  

What is planned gets done! 

So, now, look at your goals, re-evaluate and work on being a little uncomfortable, being committed to change and scheduling time.  If you do those things, this time next year, you will be saying.....LOOK AT WHAT I DID!!!!  

HAPPY 2016!