What’s More Important Than Motivation? Part 4: Accountability

"I'll come back to it next week."

It's an easy promise to make when the week gets busy. Then the next week comes and the same things get in the way again.

Instead of giving yourself another pep talk, try a different question:

When will I be checking in on what I said I'd do?

We've talked about your environment, plan, and community. Now let's talk about accountability.

Community gives you people to share the experience with. Accountability gives you a way to check your progress and decide what comes next.

Make the Commitment Clear

It's difficult to follow through on a promise you haven't clearly defined.

"I'm going to look after myself better" says more than that really.

"I'm going to the Tuesday lunchtime class" gives you something concrete to check.

Start with one action that works in your schedule. Then decide when you'll look back and see how that action went.

Keep it simple. A note in your calendar is enough.

Choose Support, Not Pressure

Accountability needn't mean someone looking over your shoulder.

It could be a mate asking "How was your walk?"

Or a coach saying "you wanted to have a go at a class this week, what stopped you?"

Choose someone you can be honest with. Someone who will listen to you when the plan comes unstuck rather than making you feel worse.

Agree on the support you'd like. A weekly message? A chat after class? A nudge before you leave work?

The point is to help you get on with it, not to make you feel guilty.

Be Honest When You Miss a Day

Imagine you'd planned three walks and only did one.

You could call it a week of failure or look at what actually happened.

Was the plan too ambitious? Did meetings fall into your break? Was there no suitable place to walk?

Those answers give you something to tweak.

Perhaps next week you'll aim for two walks or pick another time.

Accountability is about being honest about what you've done and what needs to change. It doesn't mean pretending that every week has gone perfectly.

Make Check-Ins Part of Workplace Wellness

For employers, it's about offering support employees can choose to take.

A coach could do a brief check-in. People could pair up if they wish. An instructor could ask people to set a small goal for the next session.

Keep personal goals private. The employee shouldn't have to explain their health choices to their supervisor.

And check out the organisation's promises as well.

Was the room available? Did the class start on time? Were the joining instructions clear?

Accountability works both ways. Employees need opportunities they can count on.

Give Yourself Credit—and a Next Step

You can also hold yourself to account without involving anyone else.

Mark the activity on your calendar, note what worked, and choose your next step.

Try three questions at the end of the week: What did I plan? What did I do? What will I adjust?

Note the effort you went to, even if it was less than you had originally intended.

You don't need someone standing over you. You just need a simple way to track your progress, learn from the interruptions and keep your promises in the right ballpark.

Want to find out how your workplace supports participation? Take the free GHF Wellness Program Audit and you'll receive your report by email.