Wellness | Keeping yourself accountable
Sometimes in the midst of our crazy lives, it can be difficult to follow through with all of the promises we make to ourselves, and others, each and every day. Whether big or small, staying accountable on daily tasks can be challenging, especially when things pile on rather quickly. We’ve found the following tips to be very helpful when it comes to accountability. None of us are perfect and we all make mistakes, but finding ways to cope with stress can help make dealing with inconsistencies in life much more manageable.
Write everything down. Always have a notepad, sticky notes or your phone to jot down any thoughts you may have and will want to remember at a later time. It is easy to remember one task but as your to-do list begins to grow, it’s possible for tiny details to slip through the cracks. If you can identify many little goals that you’d like to achieve, try writing them on sticky notes and pasting them in a visible place, such as on your mirror or window. This will provide a constant reminder of what you’re working towards and can serve as a daily confidence booster. If you’re a visual learner (like us), writing things down and repeating them out loud truly helps solidify information and or attaching tasks to music or images also helps to create sensory tirggers.
Create a schedule, and try to stick to it. Your calendar doesn’t have to be limited to work and tasks, planning all of your to-do’s will create consistency in your life. Identify routine activities (i.e. meals, yoga, journaling) as your foundation and build around it. We set aside “me time” each day where we put away our cell phone, close our computers and shield ourselves from any external distractions. This grounding serves as a reset button, We usually finish with a clear mind and feeling revitalised.
Set alarms. Of course you probably have a consistent alarm going off each morning, but what about for each activity you’ve scheduled on your calendar? Each time we schedule a call for work, we accompany it with an alarm that goes off 5 minutes prior. If you have a consistent alarm reminding you of each task you’d like to complete, by the laws of human nature, you will begin to condition an automatic response within yourself.
Set realistic goals. Something attainable and relevant that avoids being too broad. We call these micro goals. Rather than telling yourself “I am going to workout this month,” try narrowing it down with something like “I am going to do yoga every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 4pm.” This way you can physically write it in your calendar, set an alarm and make it a consistent habit. However, it is also important to start small. If you’ve never practiced yoga but want to begin, 3 classes a week can be overwhelming. Give yourself time to get into the groove and avoid biting off more than you can chew.
Ask great questions. If you are unsure about something, seek clarification so that when it comes to approaching whatever it may be, you can do it with confidence.
Reward yourself when you do reach that milestone. What good is setting goals if you don’t pat yourself on the back when you’ve reached the finish line? Self-praise is important in accountability because as humans, we seek out affirmation and acceptance, even if it’s coming from ourselves. Sometimes a reflection is the most rewarding thing you can do for yourself. At the end of the week, ask yourself questions like “what was my biggest obstacle and what did I do to solve it?” or “What was my biggest priority and did I accomplish it?” This will set a precedent for the following week and outline the areas that need improving while allowing you to acknowledge the progress you’ve made.
Everything, including accountability, comes easier when you are comfortable and confident with who you are. At the CCT women only retreats in Morocco we strive to empower women, while giving them tools to rediscover themselves. It’s more than a yoga retreat or fitness retreat, we want to help women on a spiritual level, reaching goals that otherwise seem unattainable.