1️⃣ Why
It makes you think twice when you want to waste time.
The pain of regret > The pain of getting things done
2️⃣ Common types
Personal accountability partner(s).
- Your partner(s) — friend, family etc. — will hold your accountable.
- You pledge to do something and forfeit something precious to you if you fail.
#buildinpublic.
- Based on the:
- pain of having nothing to show for.
- pain of being looked down upon.
- pain of letting others down.
The public as your accountability partner.
Read more
Tool: Beeminder etc.
3️⃣ Why isn’t accountability working for you?
You’re lying.
- You can easily tell your accountability partner(s) that you read 25 pages today even if you didn't.
- Everything falls apart the moment you lie. Be honest!
You’re promising too much.
I'd tried setting many goals in a habit contract. They all failed so easily a few days later because👇
You’re setting “no” and “don’t” goals.
- "No Instagram" and "Don't wake up past 9" sound reasonable.
- But, that's like wanting to cross a cliff but forgetting to build a bridge.
4️⃣ What to do instead?
Start small.
- Be held accountable on one thing at a time.
- It’s better to get one thing done than nothing.
- Consistency and patience are what get you there.
Set clear and measurable goals.
- You’re more likely to do them.
- You can prove your progress to your accountability partner(s) easily.
Focus on the “yes” goals.
- Wanna use Instagram less? Tell your partner(s) to hold you accountable for reading on Kindle when you're most tempted to use IG.
- Doing that gives you a plan to replace IG instead of just saying "No" and relying heavily on your tiny willpower.
