Why I Don't "Sell" Accountability

Well of course I agree with you. Precisely why I didn't like the "coaching" program I was forced to attend each week as a new agent. I felt I was now an adult and if I didn't do the work I wouldn't make any money. I didn't need a "coach" (that was my BIC) holding me accountable to how many cold calls I made every day. 

Now I'm accountable to myself- and get the work done every morning without attending any  meetings with the "boss".

How easy is it to hold our children accountable and get them to do what they really don't want to do?  Motivation and self-discipline have to come from within, but there are techniques to encourage people to do what's right even if they really don't enjoy it.

When I coached Little League many years ago we had hitting, running and fielding drills during practice.  The kids were bored at first, not understanding what I was trying to accomplish.  So I simulated game situations, calling out the number of outs and where the baserunners were before hitting the ball to a fielder.  I encouraged them to think about where they should throw the ball if it was hit to them.  That was their responsibility and they were accountable to their teammates.

Before long, the players were enjoying the practices and didn't want to leave.  Not coincidentally, we won the league championship that year.  Years later I would meet some of those ballplayers around town and they would reminisce about those practices and the fun baseball season.

In the end accountability has to come from within, but by keeping the end goal uppermost in mind and using motivational techniques a friend or coach can be a support system rather than a nag.  I'm looking forward to reading your next post tomorrow!

I do think Accountability has it's place, but you are not a coach. That would be a coaches job. If you are truly trying to change your ways it never hurts to have a peer to share a business plan with so that you have some one to kick you in the shorts

But you are right. Business and weight are part of a long term life style, and there does come a point in time that you have to hold yourself accountable.  Look In the Mirror!!!

I am probably more interested in your post from the diet perspective.  I post every week on my diet and that is my accountability.  I needed to stick my neck out in public and now it is a matter of pride for me, even when I feel like quitting.  But the same thing carries over into my business and personal life.  I do what I say I am going to do. 

Because there's no "one size fits all" when it comes to this topic, some people will respond better to "accountability" while others may not, they're the ones that fall right into what you're suggesting (superficial efforts).

Jennifer. My real estate plan has always been the same......"Get up every day and go to work". Has that for accountability? 

Chris, Maria, I agree no "one size fits all", but just as people's learning styles differ or personality strengths differ, people will response differently to "accountability". 

I think that if you do the right things, the accountability takes care of itself.  Rather than spending a ton of time creating accountability I choose to spend it on my listings and buyers as well as  marketing. Sounds like a plan.

To lose weight I've tried just about everything ... but diet and exercise.

I had a rather bizarre method of "semi-hands off" management in another life. The basis was to motivate through "ownership" of your job. When your charges are self-motivated, I think you get a better end result.

Motivation through guidance, fairness, and example, rather than "I'm the boss" always seemed to work. (Not that an occasional attitude adjustment wasn't necessary). If you are self motivated, you rely upon yourself, rather than a coach. I'm sure coaches will disagree with this :)

Jennifer - your thoughts make perfect sense to me.  I can see the positives of both views - for some having to be accountable will create the right environment for them to succeed - while others need to rely on their own internal motivation to get the results they're looking for.  It's important for each of us to understand what we need to be successful by relying on either external or internal motivators.  Best wishes to you for a prosperous 2010.

If you can't be accountable to yourself, but need a 'baby-sitter' to make sure you behave, you are not all 'growed up'!  Didn't your mom or gandma tell you there were concequences to bad behavior? What's all the whining about?

btw: I got control of my nourishment and lost 50 pounds and stopped taking 3 medications!  Eating 'healty' is not dieting---we're such freaks for short-cuts and 'miracles'!

-Steve

I think you are absolutely correct ! All goals must not only be "yours", they have to set on a "WANT TO" basis not a "have to'(do something) basis. No sense trying to coerce yourself into doing something you really don't want or have any passion for !!!

Hi, Jennifer. Good post and GREAT analogy!

Once you find your niche in your market, you have to be accountable to yourself, because you are self motivated. It also helps to have a broker that you respect and admire, who motivates you to do your best by example and not because she holds you "accountable."

I like what you said about not doing the accountability thing because you could not get excited about it. I believe in following your highest excitement, and then you are living the life you were meant to live. Good call on your part.

Several years ago I saw my weight going up and up and up and up. I realized I needed to do something. I looked within and the answer came from many different angles, but it all pointed to a healthy diet, with raw organic fruits and veggies and no processed junk. I got down to my desired weight and stay at that weight by living exactly the way I want to and never suffer at all. And my health has improved so much. Green smoothie for me please! 

I personally, am more accountable to positive pleasure (rewards) than I am pain or punishment.  I love to see the results & it gets me more pumped! Interesting comments!

Jen, you are a Goddess!  I wasn't sure if I agreed with you at first, but then I thought about it.  I absolutely hate those accountability meetings.  They seem good at first, but then yuck!  Then I make up any excuse not to go.

If I want accountability, I will make a business plan and look at it every day or week or whatever.  I only have myself to blame if I let others take over.

Jennifer, I like this.  Glad you wrote it.  If people would just leave us alone and let us do what we know how to do, things would be great.  They've got to know that we'd come for help if we need it but you're right, we don't need anyone to hold our hands and make sure we're doing what we need to do.  I get aggravated with my firm with a lot of their mandatory training (as if I don't do enough training on my own) and with having to stay on top of what they give me to work on.  Don't they know that this is my business and that I'm going to do everything I can to assure my success in it?  Oh well, guess it's in place for others not quite as motivated as I am to earn a living and be able to eat each day.  ;)