 | Lisa Vermillion is President and co-owner of Get Fit Bee Fit and Thin and Healthy Weight Management. Lisa opened Get Fit- 4 years ago in Valley Center, after receiving certifications thorough the American Council on Exercise as a Weight and Lifestyle Management Consultant and Certified Personal Trainer. In January, she Grand Opened Thin and Healthy Weight Management in the same location. Lisa not only provides weight loss programs for individuals but she also implements business wellness programs for small businesses and large corporations. Additionally, Lisa is a Certified Life Coach providing guidance for individuals in the areas of career, relationship and personal development. She is available for speaking engagements in the areas of Physical Fitness, Weight Management, or any Life Coaching area (goal setting, positive attitude, sales, etc). Lisa can be reached for questions or speaking engagements by phone (316) 755-1115 or email at mvmillion@yahoo.com |
Diet & Nutrition
2010-05-01 14:05:00
Accountability on the SMART plan
Question: What type of goals should I set for myself on the SMART plan?
Answer: Last month we discussed how to set solid goals following the SMART plan. The acronym stands for Specific (a clear picture of what you want), Measurable (a benchmark so you know you’re on track), Attainable (it should be a bit of a stretch but still something that can be reached), Realistic, (it must reachable), and Time Sensitive, (have a time line for the steps involved and a target date). This month we will discover how to hold yourself accountable to the goals you set.
Accountability means to give an account of actions. Accountability can be internal, to your self, or external, to someone else, but accountability is absolutely necessary. Accountability helps you stay on track, or get back on track. Accountability makes it much more likely that you will accomplish your goals.
Internal accountability means you hold yourself accountable for doing what you said you would do. It means that when you look at your actions, you judge them with honesty. If you get off track, admit it, and figure out what to do to get back on track. If you’ve done well, then celebrate your progress. Jim Rohn gives some ideas on how to hold yourself accountable:
1. Write down your goals so they become "objective." You can’t go back and say, "That wasn’t really my goal."
2. Be ruthlessly honest with yourself when you assess whether or not you have met the goal.
3. If you fall short of your goal, or if you are falling short while on the way, knuckle down and do what it takes to make up the ground so that you can hit that goal!
4. Set a time frame in which you will evaluate your progress and hold yourself accountable.
External accountability means that you choose someone else to hold you accountable. Someone who can check in with you, ask you questions about where you’re at in your process, and motivate you to move forward.
Every person who is successful, in business, weight loss, or any other goal has a mentor, coach, or someone else that holds them accountable.
Jim Rohn again gives suggestions for choosing your accountability partner and getting the most out of the relationship.
1. Choose someone who cares about you, but can be tough and honest with you.
This person needs to have both of these characteristics. You need someone who genuinely wants you to be successful so they can motivate you and someone who is tough, because you don’t want to have them shy away from telling you to get on the ball when you are lacking, getting behind or not doing the job. In essence, they love you enough to be honest with you about your progress.
2. Tell them specifically what your goals are. Your accountability partner needs to know the details and the plan in order to hold you accountable.
3. Commit to being honest with them. Take responsibility for your actions or inactions by being honest about your actions.
4. Give them permission to speak both words of encouragement, as well as words of challenge when the situation calls for it.
5. Agree on a reasonable time frame in which you will allow them to evaluate your progress and hold you accountable.
6. Follow up on their words when they challenge you or call you to action.
Choosing your accountability partner carefully is critical to your success. I would add two more criteria Make sure the person you choose is accomplishing goals of their own, and make sure they have a positive attitude. You want to be around people who are accomplishing things and moving forward in their lives, otherwise you may get sucked down and drawn backward in negativity.
To accomplish your goal you need both internal and external accountability. It is your responsibility to primarily hold yourself accountable, and you will be much more likely to accomplish your goal when you have an accountability partner. Accountability ensures you will reach the goals you’ve set.
