Goal Setting IV - The Accountability Roadmap

We're at part 4 of our goal-setting series. You should have a great handle on your Why, why you set goals, and how to create a SMART goal. These are all vital steps in getting traction and achieving. However, there is more to the equation. Let's talk about an accountability roadmap. Think about a huge map of the country. There's a car off on the side of the map. Where do you want to go? Well, that's a silly question. We first need to know where you are now on the map.

Step 1: Know Your Numbers! You have to know your business numbers, which includes your key performance indicators (KPIs) or scorecard, profit & loss, and where you want to go. This will help you assess exactly where you now compared to your goals and allow you to have the measurables to set solid SMART goals.

Step 2: Know Your WHY! Now that you're car is off the side and on the map in the location of where YOU are, you can pour the fuel into the vehicle and set the direction you would like to travel.

Step 3: Determine Your Route! You will need a series of milestones every 90 days in the form of SMART goals to create the dotted line on your map to get you from where you are to where you want to be. 

Step 4: Put on Your Wheel! You need wheels to make your gassed-up car to roll to its destination. My friend Courtney Wisely of Rescue My Maid Service uses these 5 areas to measure the health of your cleaning company: Human Resources, Operations, Marketing, Administration, Finances. I added a 6th area and that is Goal Setting & Accountability. We can place these 6 criteria as 'spokes' on a wheel. Simply segment the spokes with 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Then grade yourself on each to start your journey and connect the dots. You can see this exercise done on my FREE SMART Goals Masterclass. You will need to create a circle so your 'wheel' can get you to your destination.

Step 4: Get a Passenger! We are human and therefore emotional creatures who get distracted easily. It sounds so logical to set the goals and simply drive your car from point A to point B. I wish it were that easy. You will likely get distracted with shiny objects or in some cases, personal struggles may attempt to derail your plans. This is why you can't drive this journey alone. You need a passenger. They are called an accountability partner. Their job is to keep you on the dotted line by monitoring your 'Wheel' and making sure you are not getting distracted. They can become your lifeline, especially if your route takes you over or winding through the Rocky Mountains! What is an accountability partner? I like the Wikipedia defintion: "An accountability partner is a person who coaches another person in terms of helping the other person keep a commitment." Who do you choose? I recommend you create 1-way and 2-way accountability with people you admire and respect. In 1-way accountability, someone is holding you accountable only. They are someone ahead of you and you greatly admire and respect them. You don't want to let them down. They stretch you. This creates respect accountability. You become the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Don't choose someone that isn't in life where you want to go. In 2-way accountability, you are buddied up with someone like-minded with similar goals. You are moving in the same direction and can help each other get to your destination. They will have strengths that help you and vice versa. This creates competitive accountability. You still will not want to let them down. The irony is that you will work harder NOT to let your accountability partner down than you will work for you. It's human nature.

Other References and Resources:

1. Check out my Recommended Book List and definitely grab these to help you with goal-setting! "The Freedom Journal" by John Lee Dumas, "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek, "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon HIll, "The Dream Giver" by Bruce Wilkinson, and  "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson.
2. Thank you to my accountability partners, Billy Altman, Vincent Pugliese, John VanderMuelen, and Kwame Christian.
3. My friend Nick Pavlides of Ghostwriting School is the one that taught me that people need implementation and access just as much as information.