Zen Habits Podcast

S1 Ep06 - Accountability & Getting Back on Track

Sep 20, 2023

22:22

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Learn how to create an empowered relationship to accountability and get back on track after setbacks. Discover practical tips for establishing accountability and staying committed. Embrace setbacks and shift your mindset for better outcomes. Explore the power of self-compassion and letting go of negative emotions for personal growth.

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Quick takeaways

Accountability should be viewed as a means to put factual information on paper, rather than a judgment of our worthiness, allowing us to celebrate progress and learn from setbacks without falling into a cycle of shame and blame.

An empowered approach to accountability involves taking ownership and responsibility for our actions, without attaching additional meanings like good or bad to the outcome, fostering leadership and empowering us to create the outcomes we desire.

Deep dives

Accountability: Empowered vs Disempowered Relationship

Accountability can be seen as either empowering or disempowering. Some people view accountability as a way to shame and embarrass themselves, while others see it as a means to be disciplined and consistent. It is important to recognize our relationship with accountability and determine if it is empowering or disempowering. Those who have an empowered relationship feel accountable to themselves, while others may coerce themselves to meet obligations. However, if we constantly force ourselves to remain disciplined, accountability can become a reminder of our shortcomings. Therefore, it is crucial to view accountability as a way to put factual information on paper rather than a judgment of our worthiness. By focusing on simple yes or no responses, we can celebrate progress and learn from setbacks without falling into a cycle of shame and blame.

Introduction

5min

Approaching Accountability: Fact-based Reflection

5min

Accountability, Commitment, and Getting Back on Track

6min

Embracing Setbacks and Shifting Your Approach

2min

The Power of Compassion and Letting Go

5min

We can create an empowered relationship to accountability, to create greater leadership in our lives.

In this episode, Leo looks at how to create accountability that's effective, and shares examples of how he's used it in his life.

Topics Covered

How we have different relationships to accountability, ranging from disempowered to empowered
Coercing oneself to be disciplined can lead to issues when one falls off track
Accountability is simply accounting for whether a task was completed or not, without judgment
Accountability can be used to celebrate progress and learn from successes, as well as to get curious about failures
Accountability helps individuals take responsibility for their actions and make changes
Leo’s experience with a 33-day fitness challenge and how accountability affects his motivation
Suggestions for implementing accountability: find someone to be accountable to, set a consistent reporting schedule, and commit to specific, measurable actions
Dealing with discouragement and getting back on track involves reaching out for support, choosing to recommit, and starting small
The importance of forgiving oneself, letting go of negative emotions, and being compassionate to encourage progress