Mandy Schumaker

PERFORMANCE COACH, TRAINER AND SPEAKER

accountable

Challenged with Staying Accountable to Yourself and Others?

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timthumbOne of the most common issues that entrepreneurs often speak to me about is the ongoing challenge of staying accountable. Most of us have no trouble in coming up with the next “great idea” we want to implement in our business, but when it comes down to actually implementing it and sticking with it, well, that sometimes is where the challenges come into play.

This week, I spoke with several potential entrepreneurs who were all looking at making an investment by hiring a coach for their business and ALL of them talked about the challenge of staying accountable on a daily basis. It is hard, particularly since many of us work alone or in a small group and we don’t have someone asking us each day, “Where are you on this?” “Have you completed that?” Or, “What! You’re going to start doing that, before you’ve finished the last thing?”

It can be challenging staying accountable to ourselves on a daily basis. Here are some tips that might help you stay accountable to your goals and intentions for 2014.

1-Don’t have too many goals

People find it easier to stick to things if you have a shorter list. Developing a list of 3-5 goals for 2014 will help you feel less overwhelmed and more likely to stay accountable and focused than if you have a list of 10—20 items.

2-Find an accountability partner

Find someone who will NOT let you get away with anything! Firm and tough, not sweet and nice! You want to share with them your goals for the year-so they have a good understanding of the big picture. Make sure you take the time for this part. Then figure out a schedule as to how often you will touch base with them, whether daily, three times a week, twice a week, whatever works for you. Then STICK WITH IT! The phone calls (and I strongly suggest phone calls-much easier than trying to meet in person) only need to be 5-10 minutes max. If you have the right partner, this is a great way to stay accountable.

3-Publicly announce what you’re going to do

Publicly announcing your new idea on your blog or social media sites is a great way to “put it out there”. Then, there are lots of people who will want to hold you accountable!

Staying accountable is absolutely necessary if you want to have a successful business and there are lots of ways to do it. What works for you in your business? Please share it in the comments section below! Also, if you would like to have a complimentary session with me in 2014 to see how we can help you be more accountable and exponentially grow your business, please click here to set up your appointment!

Mandy works with talented, high energy self employed professionals and very small businesses who struggle to market their business effectively, stretch their capacity and play a bigger game. Mandy’s client’s receive proven, specific information on what they need to do to get more clients and grow their business. As a result, those who coach with Mandy increase their business, get more clients and make more money, faster and easier than they ever would have on their own. Sign up for her free Cd “7 Productivity Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurs” right down below.

How to Double Your Success Rate

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success3One of the most frequent questions I get from clients and prospective clients is, “How do you get everything done on your to-do list?” It’s a challenge, for all of us, there’s no question about it.

I recently came across some really interesting statistics from the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) about the probability of completing a goal:

You hear an idea (10%)
You consciously decide to adopt it (25%)
You decide when you will do it (40%)
You plan how you will do it (50%)
You commit to someone else you will do it (65%)
You have specific accountability appointments with the person(s) committed-95%

These statistics are tremendous evidence of the power of purposeful decision making, planning, commitment and accountability. Most entrepreneurs get stuck at planning how they will achieve their goals. But as you can see, planning is not enough.

However, accountability programs, like engaging a daily accountability partner will DOUBLE your success rate.

Over the years, I have had one, sometimes two accountability partners. We commit to connect by phone for no more than 5-10 minutes a day to share with each other what we intend to get done that day. I can attest that it does work, and really helps keep you continuously accountable.

So if you’re someone who gets derailed from your to-do list, or can’t seem to complete the goals you’ve set for yourself and your business, I strongly urge you to find an accountability partner and give it a try.

It is important to find the right partner, someone who will hold you accountable, ask the tough questions and not let you get away with excuses.

Imagine what your business and life will be like when you consistently set and achieve 95% of your boldest goals!

Mandy works with talented, high energy self employed professionals and very small businesses who struggle to market their business effectively, stretch their capacity and play a bigger game. Mandy’s client’s receive proven, specific information on what they need to do to get more clients and grow their business. As a result, those who coach with Mandy increase their business, get more clients and make more money, faster and easier than they ever would have on their own. Sign up for her free Cd “7 Productivity Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurs” right down below.