Accountability: The Secret Sauce of Coaching
You know that feeling when you want to achieve a project or target and you’ve even written it down on the to-do list but somehow… it still hasn’t happened?
It’s not that you’re not able to do it, and it's not that you're not capable. It's likely that you're probably juggling more than one role, staying on top of the 'day-to-day', whilst thinking about the bigger picture all at the same time. Even with the best intentions, we all need something more than clarity. And that ‘something’ is accountability.
Without judgment, it’s super easy to let things slip down the to-do list as a busy leader, entrepreneur, or expert in your field (I have to stay intentional about it). Often, the big goals can feel overwhelming or too far out of reach because there’s so much that goes into making them happen. Without the right structure to back them up, it’s easy to fall into the trap of procrastination. It’s not that one’s lazy, it’s just that when juggling so many tasks, it’s easy to start many things without the focus to complete the highest priority ones.
That’s where accountability comes in.
It helps you break through this cycle, taking those big ideas and breaking them into action steps that are not only achievable but also trackable.
Accountability isn’t just a tick-box exercise on a to-do list; it’s the structure that helps you stay on track when the day-to-day distractions take over. It forces you to make progress now, not later.
Here’s how to integrate accountability into your projects:
break your goal/project/milestone into three clear actions.
make each one SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
commit to what you’re doing and by when (e.g. I’ll finish writing the first chapter by Thursday).
revisit regularly: be honest with yourself about where you’re at. If it didn’t happen, we talk about why in coaching, adjust the approach, and go again.
For example, say you're working on a new project: “By Friday, I’ll have my three key slides worked out. On Wednesday, I’ll block out 45 minutes to outline the content, and on Thursday, I’ll run through it once and do any tweaks.”
This is specific, time-bound, and easy to track. And over time, this builds trust in yourself as you see your capability in action, and you get the results that show you're moving forward.
Accountability is powerful because it taps into the psychology behind human behaviour and decision-making. Research shows that when you share your goals with someone, you have a 65% chance of achieving them. But when you schedule regular check-ins, your chances of success jump to 95% (Dr. Gail Matthews, 2015). This is because accountability ties your actions to someone else, making it much harder to fall off track.
According to the Association for Talent Development, individuals who set clear goals and track them with an accountability partner are 33% more likely to achieve those goals than those who don’t. In fact, 80% of individuals with accountability partners successfully achieve their goals, compared to just 50% of those who go it alone.
But the power of accountability doesn’t stop at just keeping you on track, it also builds trust and confidence, both in yourself and in your coach or accountability partner. When you know someone is supporting you, it’s easier to believe you can follow through. Over time, this strengthens your self-efficacy, building your confidence in your ability to succeed.
When you commit to someone else, it creates social pressure that makes you more likely to act. We all want to avoid disappointing others, and this pressure can help overcome procrastination and inertia. Having someone to check in with elevates your drive to follow through. You’re not just accountable to yourself; you're accountable to someone else’s expectations.
Accountability works by helping you recognise and overcome what’s holding you back. If you’re stuck on a goal, the first step is to identify what’s causing the issue, whether it’s a lack of direction, feeling overwhelmed, imposter thoughts, or simply not having someone to answer to.
Accountability brings focus by breaking down the goal into manageable steps, making it feel more achievable. This focus gives you the chance to recognise how impactful hitting that goal can be. Through regular check-ins, you have a built-in structure that reinforces your commitment and makes the process feel achievable.
Accountability helps you take action through a structure that supports you. For example, regular check-ins help reinforce your commitment, and having a coach makes the solution feel achievable.
Every coaching session includes some form of accountability and next steps. There’s no one-size-fits-all, and there’s definitely no judgment. These are realistic actions we agree on together, with timelines that work for you. If something needs tweaking along the way, we adjust. We’re all works in progress.
My clients have used this kind of approach to successfully manage large projects, launch online courses (and all the moving parts that come with them), or publish that book they’ve had in draft form for years. Sometimes, it’s as simple (and significant) as following through on that phone call to a new client or showing up for a personal commitment that’s been avoided.
The power of accountability is that it doesn’t just help you achieve individual goals, it transforms your mindset. It shifts you from someone who “hopes” to succeed to someone who knows they will succeed. And that transformation is what leads to consistent high performance.
So, what's your next step?
Challenge yourself! Take action, make your commitment, and plan your check-ins. Start with something to get the ball rolling that is achievable or small. Whether you're starting a project, shifting your mindset, or working through a long to-do list, accountability can be a real game-changer.
If you’d like my help with committing and moving forward, get in touch today. I’d love to work with you to create a clear plan and hold you accountable as you reach your goals.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, how do you stay accountable to yourself and your goals?
Best wishes
Katherine
P.S If building confidence and optimising your mindset is something you’d like to work on to gain more focus, fortify your presence, and elevate how you show up, I’ll soon be hosting a masterclass on The Confidence Accelerator®. If you'd like to join the waiting list, please click here.
#Accountability #GoalSetting #HighPerformance #Leadership #SuccessMindset
