How to Stay Accountable for Your Business Goals

Being your own boss can be great, but it also comes with a unique set of challenges. Are you feeling a bit like being on a boat with no paddle?  You’re not alone.

One of the biggest challenges you’ll face is staying motivated and on task. It can be tough to stay focused and driven when there’s no one else holding you accountable. But if you want to be successful, you have to set yourself up for it.

Here are a few tips.

1. Always have achievable goals in place.

We’re not talking about your daily to-do list here.  Take some time to set realistic, achievable goals for where you want your business to be headed in the next month, 6 months, and year.  You may have big dreams for your business, but you’ll need these smaller goals to give you direction and keep you motivated.

2. Write. Them. Down.

If you didn’t write it down, was it ever even real? Putting pen to paper and getting those goals written down will help you to keep them at the forefront of your mind and will make it easier to stay accountable to yourself. Keep your goals somewhere visible, such as on a whiteboard or in a journal, so that you can see them every day and be reminded of what you’re working towards.

3. Set some deadlines.

Due dates and deadlines are a must. Break down your goals into smaller, more manageable pieces and set timelines for each of them.  Trust me; it will give you a better sense of how much progress you’re making. Make sure to include milestones along the way so that you can celebrate your successes!

4. Find Somebody to Leee-aaan On!

Bill Withers had it right- you need somebody to lean on.  You’re feeling like it’s hard to go it alone because IT IS!  Find a community or network of people who share your goals, understand where you’re at, and who can help you to stay on track. Having someone to check in with regularly will help to keep you accountable and motivated.

It’s a good thing you found this group, huh?!

5. Hold yourself accountable

Friends are great, but at the end of the day, it’s up to you to hold yourself accountable for achieving your goals. Make sure that you have regular check-ins with yourself to ensure that you’re making progress. If you find yourself slipping, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your support network or take a step back and reassess your goals.

6. Create Routines

Creating consistent routines is not only good for your workflow and productivity, but it will also help you achieve your goals too! Make a plan for how you will include making progress toward your business goals a part of your every day. Let’s be honest.  Business is BUSY!  It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of your business and spend weeks or months never working on those business goals. So, plan for progress.  And while you’ve got pen to paper, write the plan down too.

Working for yourself has many rewards, but it also has unique challenges. If you set achievable goals, stay organized and focused, find a supportive community, and hold yourself accountable, you can be successful! Having written goals and creating routines to help you work towards them every day is key to keeping on track. So don’t give up…keep paddling! You’ll get there. And hey! With friends like us, you’re already well on your way.