The Magic That is Accountability

Happy NFL opening day all! I know not everyone is thrilled for this, and might even hate the sport, but just try not to kill the buzz for the rest of us, please? At the very least wait a few days before you gripe about it for other's sake.

Let's jump into the topic of discussion today, accountability. Everyone needs it and it’s always something that people think they can get the better of on their own for 12 months of the year. *Buzzer* wrong kids, nobody can do that I promise you. Even professionals like me need some form of accountability, whether it’s a training buddy or just simply someone else doing their programming for them and checking in on their progress, we all need it.
 
The every day Joe out there will put some form of monetary accountability out there. They pay someone (like me) to be there waiting for them at the gym or studio to get their workout in. Knowing someone else is waiting for you is itself a form of accountability also (like a training partner). I have one client, I’ve lost count how many times they have told me that they probably would not have gotten their workout in that day if I was not waiting for them at the facility. This works two-fold when you know there are others there you see every day expecting you to show up as well (like in semi-private training).

A note on the opposite side of things money wise. I can tell you that there’s at least 2 dozen free (and some not so free) programs I’ve written that probably lay very much unused in people’s e-mails and on their desks. It's amazing what it does to your brain when some bucks are attached to those programs and sessions, they get used pretty fast. That’s not all it ever is of course there are exceptions. Believe me I had probably the mother of all exceptions to this rule as a client for a couple years. They knew I was waiting for them and would still bag on me the morning of (sometimes multiple times in a week). Some people just simply cannot be helped, it will take something greater than the almighty dollar make them accountable.

 No this isn’t some shameless plug to get you into the new CORE Essentials program (YES IT HAS A NAME!!!), because that is something we are promoting with it, or to buy a package. The point is if you haven’t moved far into that autonomy stage, something I also want for people in this program, then you need to find a way to hold yourself accountable.

I've also found that garnering an army of supporters for your training is helpful too. Tell your friends, tell your coworkers, tell your family, hell tell the most random person on the train if you want. The point of this is if they know you are suppose to be going to the gym or a session, they're going to ask you about it. When you tell them you went, they'll high five you or smile and say good, if you didn't they'll ask you why the hell not!
 
In the end folks, if you are struggling to stay on track with something, nutrition, training, salsa lessons or whatever. Find a way to hold yourself accountable, just pick one. There's more methods than the few I've listed here even. You’ll find more success with you consistency, then you'll start seeing that outcome you're desiring. It's magic isn't it? Once you've graduated to autonomy (read autopilot) then you can move on to mastering the next kung fu move of your desire.

I really do hope everyone found this quick little post today helpful. There are ways to get accountability without dropping those hard earned dollars in any case, but if you've tried it all you except that, consider it. Have a good Thursday everyone, see you tomorrow with Things I've Found (I promise). Go out there and get after it!