The key to success in the new year

I have the privilege of working with some of the most successful people in the world. One thing most of them have in common is that they have a high degree of responsibility for their own personal and professional goals and can push themselves harder than most. Accountability is a value and a way of operating for these leaders. If you want to level up in 2023, think about how accountable you are to yourself. Think about the seven points below and ask yourself some tough questions.

1. Set clear goals: To be accountable, it is essential to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-limited (SMART) goals can help you stay focused and motivated. For example, instead of setting a general goal to “get fit,” you could set a more specific goal to “run a 5K in under 25 minutes by June 1.” This goal is specific (run a 5K), measurable (in less than 25 minutes), achievable (based on your current fitness level), relevant (to your health and well-being), and time-limited (within June 1st). Setting SMART goals can help you stay on track and progress towards your goals.
2. Track your progress: To stay accountable, regularly review your progress toward your goals. This can help you identify areas where you may need to recover and adjust. For example, if you’re working towards a goal of saving a certain amount of money by the end of the year, you might want to review your budget and spending habits each month to see if you’re on track. Tracking your progress can also help you stay motivated and see the progress you’re making.
3. Communicate with others: Sharing your goals and progress with others, such as a mentor, coach or responsible partner, can provide valuable support and encouragement and increase your chances of success by up to 95%. Having someone else hold you accountable can help you stay motivated and on track, and provide valuable perspective and feedback. For example, if you’re improving your public speaking skills, you might share your progress with a friend or mentor and ask for their feedback on your presentations.
4. Take responsibility for your actions: When things don’t go as planned, it can be tempting to make excuses or blame others. However, accountability means taking responsibility for your actions and finding ways to learn and improve from mistakes. This involves acknowledging your mistakes and taking steps to correct them. For example, you miss a deadline at work. If so, you could take responsibility for your mistake, apologize to your manager and colleagues, and devise a plan to avoid similar mistakes in the future.
5. Request feedback: Regularly seeking input from others about your performance can help you become more self-aware and identify areas for improvement. This can be especially helpful if you’re working towards a goal that involves a skill or activity that you need to be fully proficient in. For example, if you’re working on improving your leadership skills, ask your peers or a mentor for feedback on your leadership style and areas where you can improve.
6. Practice self-discipline: Self-discipline is the ability to control your thoughts, emotions and actions to achieve your goals. Developing self-discipline can help you stay focused and on track, even when faced with distractions or challenges. This may involve setting boundaries for yourself, such as setting aside dedicated time for work or self-development, and avoiding distractions like checking social media or watching TV during this time.
7. Be responsible to yourself: Finally, holding yourself accountable for your actions is essential. This involves setting high standards for yourself and making a commitment to meet them. This may include setting expectations for your behavior and performance and holding yourself accountable to these high standards. For example, if you set a goal to exercise at least three times a week, you could stick to that goal by setting a reminder on your phone or logging your workouts in a diary. An exercise partner can also help push you to stick to the plan.

Being accountable is an important aspect of personal and professional growth. It involves taking responsibility for one’s actions and being willing to answer for their positive and negative outcomes. By following the tips outlined above, you can work towards becoming more responsible in 2023 and beyond.

In addition to the benefits to yourself, being responsible can also have a positive impact on those around you. When you are responsible, others can trust and rely on you, leading to stronger relationships and more effective teamwork. Furthermore, by being a role model of accountability, you can inspire and encourage others to follow suit, creating a culture of accountability in your personal and professional life.

So, as you start a new year and set your goals, commit to being accountable. It may take some effort and discipline, but it’s worth it. By focusing on accountability, you can make significant progress towards your goals and improve your overall performance and well-being.