Self-accountability isn’t always easy, but it’s crucial to succeed as a promo pro. It doesn’t matter if you run a solo operation or work for a large company — when you hold yourself accountable, you don’t pass the buck. Rather, you own your actions and their results, whether they’re positive or negative.
Executive coach Naphtali Hoff, PsyD knows how challenging self-accountability can be. For example, you may avoid taking responsibility because you worry about what others will think. Or you might feel disconnected from the bigger picture, making it harder to focus on your goals. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to become more accountable.
In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share Dr. Hoff’s guidance on some actionable ways you can build self-accountability.
1. Set clear, measurable goals. Dr. Hoff points out that when goals are unclear or overly vague, it’s harder to stay focused and easier to veer off course. Make sure you set personal and professional goals that follow the SMART framework. They should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Don’t just say, “I want to improve my sales performance.” Instead, make it clear and specific. You could say, “I want to increase my sales by 15% over the next quarter by prospecting 30 new leads each week and closing at least 3 deals each month.”
2. Track your goals. When you build your self-accountability, it’s important to keep your goals visible. This creates a sense of ongoing commitment, Dr. Hoff says. Plus, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment marking items as complete, which can help reinforce positive habits. Whether you use a promo journal or a digital tool to track your goals, make sure to review your progress regularly. This helps ensure you stay on track and committed.
3. Reflect regularly. Dr. Hoff recommends setting aside time each week to review your achievements and improvement areas. He says reflection helps identify patterns of success and obstacles, which can lead to better planning in the future. When you make it a consistent habit, you strengthen your commitment to your personal and professional growth.
Self-accountability isn’t just about meeting your goals or crossing items off your to-do list. Instead, it’s about doing what you say you will do and becoming the type of person others can depend on.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Naphtali Hoff, PsyD is an executive coach who helps leaders and their teams become more productive.
