If you’ve ever made a pact with a friend, co-worker or spouse to hold each other accountable for reaching a goal, you know the struggle is real. While some accountability partners are a match made in heaven, others can be flaky, bossy, unrealistic or even toxic. But truly, if you’re looking for that one magical person who will change your life, look in the mirror because there’s simply no one better to count on than yourself.
“When you hold yourself accountable, a sense of ownership, mastery and pride is created,” says Dara Bushman, PsyD, NBCCH, RRT, a licensed clinical psychologist in Pembroke Pines, Florida, adding that those who are not accountable feel a loss of control and often leave tasks incomplete or complete them with a lack of purpose. “Holding yourself accountable creates patterns of consistency and continuity and empowers authorship of your destiny. When commitment is achieved, a profound purpose is cultivated and integrity is established.”