Who's looking over your shoulder?
Photo by Tetiana SHYSHKINA on Unsplash
Competency No. 8 in the ICF Core Competencies is Facilitates Client Growth. This competency is exhibited when the coach partners with the client to transform learning and insight into action while promoting client autonomy in the coaching process at all times. The coach supports the client to design goals, actions and accountability measures that integrate and expand new learning. These design of goals, actions and methods of accountability must be formulated by the client taking into account his/her unique way of thinking and learning.
What image pops up in your mind when you think of the word “accountability”? Is that one of a boss looking over your shoulder to see to it that you are doing your work properly? When you were younger, you were accountable to your parents, teachers and other figures of authorities such as your football coach, the head prefect and your cell group leader. When you’re older, you’re accountable to your spouse, your other family members who rely on you, your superiors at work, your friends, your community, the government and whomever else you have given your word to do something for. However, have you ever considered being accountable to yourself?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines accountability as an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions. Let’s say that you have been tasked to finish a work project on time. You’re accountable to your manager, your teammates and your company to complete this project successfully on time. However, if you take away all these external accountability factors and if you know that no adverse consequences will befall you if you do not finish on time, will you still be accountable simply because you gave your word to yourself that you will finish this project on time?
What keeps you accountable for your actions?
“If I could give one tip for people – it’s not an exercise or nutrition regimen. It’s to walk your talk and believe in yourself, because at the end of the day, the dumbbell and diet don’t get you in shape. It’s your accountability to your word.”
Are you accountable to your promises to yourself? How do you feel when you attempt to answer this question? Is it easy to say yes or are you struggling to answer? You owe it to your own well-being to be accountable to your word. How do you feel when a family member or friend lets you down by forgetting to turn up for a dinner engagement or by breaking their promises to you? When you break your own promises to yourself, self-doubt creeps in and your confidence in your virtues and abilities is shaken. Being accountable to yourself is to own up for your life and not blame anyone else for the circumstances you are in. Being accountable actually gives you the power of resolve and determination to see through your plans and goals.
What can you do to start building up your internal accountability muscles?
You can start with a small goal and use this simple method called the “WOOP Method” developed by Noel Lyons (Noel Lyons MSc –http://www.WellCoach.co.uk) of an exercise described by Gabriele Oettingen.
“WOOP” is an acronym for Wish, Outcome, Obstacle and Plan. Firstly, identify your desired goal or wish (W). In the second step, visualise the desired result or outcome of your goal as though it has crystalized (O). Next, identify the potential factors that may stand in the way of your achievement of this goal or wish (O). Finally (P), create a plan is to overcome potential obstacles to realize your goal.
By using the WOOP Method, you will be formulating your goal clearly in your mind. When you describe your goal or wish, you will discover your true reason for wanting to achieve this goal. By understanding the reason for wanting this goal, it will be easier for you to keep to your word and be accountable to yourself.
WISH (W)
Identify one crucial goal or wish.
Name or summarise it in 3 to 6 words.
What is the meaning of this goal or wish for you?
OUTCOME (O)
Envision the positive result you wish to create.
Name the #1 benefit your goal or wish will produce for you.
Identify the best outcome in 3 to 6 words and write it down.
OBSTACLE (O)
What blocks your path?
What obstacle within you stands in your way?
What personal behaviours are working against you? Name your main obstacle and write it down.
PLAN (P)
Write down ONE specific action you can take to overcome or get around your obstacle, to reach your goal (the #1 most effective thing you could do).
Write down the time and place where you believe the obstacle (your personal behaviour or beliefs) will arise.
Then write down your if-then plan: ‘If (obstacle) X occurs (when and where), then I will perform (effective action) Y (to overcome obstacle)’.
The key is to start with short term simpler goals and to practise daily. Once you are familiar with the WOOP Method and can use it confidently and with ease, try practising it in various areas in your life.
I would love to hear your experiences and results from practising the WOOP Method. Have fun with it!
“I measure my success based on how much fun I’m having.”
