Build Support and Accountability

Let’s face it; we all need help along the way.

As part of your plan to achieving your goals, it is critical to build a support structure that will help keep you accountable and on track throughout the year. Your support structure may consist of actions you take as an individual, daily rituals or assistance from other people such as friends, coaches, therapists, doctors, financial planners,  nutritionists, therapists, etc. Utilizing all of the resources that are available to you will produce the most effective support structure and one that keeps you accountable and on track over time.

Here are some tips for building support and accountability in the coming year.

Keep your goals visible. By physically keeping your goals in a place where you will see them every day, you will be reminded of what you want to achieve and of your passionate reasons for achieving them.

Review your plan twice per week.  Getting into a routine where you review your goals at the beginning and end of each week will help you measure your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

Share your goals with someone you know. Once you verbalize your goals to someone else, you are effectively making a commitment to achieving them.

Get an accountability partner. This could be a friend, co-worker, or family member with the same or similar goal. Having an accountability partner will help provide you with the motivation you need to stay on track.

Find a coach or mentor. Typically a coach or mentor is someone who isn’t as close to you personally as a friend or family member and can provide you with the objectivity that is needed to truly keep you on track.

Join a support group. Support groups of any kind are typically comprised of people who are working toward the same outcome. If you want to complete your first marathon, find a running group. If you want to stop smoking, find a 12-step recovery group.  If you want to learn more about investing, find an investment club.

Hire an Expert. We all have day jobs, so it may make sense to hire someone with point expertise. For example, you may want to consult with a financial planner to help with your financial goals or a  nutrition therapist to help with your health and fitness goal.

An ancient Egyptian Proverb says a journey of a thousand miles always begins with one step.

I say you’ll be more likely to take steps two through one thousand if you take the time to put a support structure in place.

Interested in a more guided approach to establishing your best year yet? Checkout the Ultimate Goal Setting Guide.

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