After over a week away from blogging I'm back for the final segment of our discussion on commitment and goals. We have covered quite a bit these past few posts and we have discussed in detail three of the four biggest commitment killers. As we bring this study to a close I want to talk about the fourth killer. This one is probably the most overlooked and yet on the other hand it's the area that can give you the edge necessary to accomplish your goals and keep your commitments.
3) Absence of Accountability
Accountability is something you hear talked about quite often though you probably don't see or hear it put into practice near as often. Often accountability can be just what is needed to help us keep a commitment or reach a goal. Think of the goals you have reached in the past, whether losing weight, quitting smoking, reading the Bible more, or eating healthier you were probably most successful when you had someone either working toward the same goal with you or alongside you encouraging you and cheering you on. Many times when we feel like giving up or compromising a simple word of encouragement or reminder of the consequences can go a long way. The Bible speaks of this principle in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 which says,
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
Whatever your goal or commitment is I strongly urge you to find someone to be your cheerleader. Find someone who can help you press toward the finish line.
Now, I wish I could say I am really good with this and I always have accountability in my life; however, I don't. I often struggle in this area especially when it comes to my spiritual life because it is much more personal than health or fitness goal. I have only recently started looking for accountability in my personal life, but let me tell you it is worth doing. A good definition for accountability in your personal life is giving someone full permission to ask you the tough questions. It is easy to go through life sweeping our struggles and sins under the rug, but it changes things when we give someone the permission to check under the rug regularly.
James 5:16 says, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
The Bible talks of bearing each others' burdens and confessing our faults to each other, yet so often we try to go it alone. (I will talk more about this in another post sometime)
In review here are the four keys to reaching your goals and keeping your commitments.
1) Take a step back and survey the whole picture of what the goal/commitment entails. Be sure you are ready
2) Have a plan. Don't run into it blind.
3) Beware of compromise. Set boundaries. Don't leave room for excuses.
4) Seek accountability. Get a personal cheerleader.
So my challenge to you as we wrap up this commitment series is to make the necessary changes to keep your commitments. It's worth the extra effort. It's worth pushing your comfort zone. You won't regret it.
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