Last week, I mentioned I was making just one New Year’s resolution for 2026. Making it was the easy part. The hard part is already happening: getting motivated when its -9c outside (welcome to my Monday). showing up in February when the excitement fades; doing the hard yards in April when life gets busy and in August when progress feels slow. I know these times are ahead. And that’s why most New Year’s Resolutions die. Not from lack of ambition, but from lack of accountability.
Big Hairy Audacious Goals are inspiring. They’re also overwhelming. And when you’re pursuing something that requires months of consistent effort, motivation alone won’t carry you through.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: without external accountability, you’ll let yourself off the hook. Not because you’re weak, but because you’re human. And humans are brilliant at rationalizing: “I’ll start fresh on Monday.” “One missed day won’t matter.” “I’ll make up for it tomorrow.” String those excuses together, and by March, your NY resolution / BHAG is dead and buried.
What Real Accountability Looks Like
Most people think accountability means telling a friend or posting on social media. That’s not accountability—that’s announcement.
Real accountability is active, structured, and uncomfortable. Here’s what actually works:
1. Public Commitment with Scheduled Updates
Commit to regular, public progress reports. Weekly. Monthly. Whatever cadence forces you to show up consistently.
The magic isn’t in the announcement it’s in the recurring deadline. You can ghost yourself. It’s much harder to ghost an audience expecting an update.
I’ve committed to sharing my journey throughout 2026. Not every detail, but enough that backing out quietly isn’t an option.
2. Accountability Partners Who Ask Hard Questions
Find someone who’ll tell you the truth. Not a cheerleader—someone who’ll ask the hard questions:
- Did you do what you said you’d do?
- What got in the way?
- What’s the plan for next week?
Schedule weekly check-ins. Make them non-negotiable. The consistency matters more than the duration—even 15 minutes of honest conversation beats an hour of vague encouragement.
The key is finding someone who cares enough to challenge you when you’re making excuses, and who won’t let you off the hook when things get difficult.
3. Built-In Consequences
For me this is the most powerful form of accountability: creating situations where backing out has real cost.
Sign up for the race before you’re ready to run it. Book the course before you have completed the pre-requisites. Make commitments that require you to deliver.
I’ve done this for part my 2026 goal. I’ve already signed up to and paid for an external assessment/examination in May 2026 that can’t be moved. I’ve eliminated the option to coast or delay. That date is circled in red, and everything between now and then has to happen for me to show up ready.
It’s uncomfortable. That’s the point.
The Hard Truth
Most people treat accountability as something nice to have; a bonus feature; optional support. But the reality is it has to be a non-negotiable.
Because here’s what I’ve learned: your goal isn’t the hard part. Showing up consistently when no one’s watching—that’s the hard part. And you can’t rely on motivation or discipline alone to carry you through.
You need Systems. Structure. Stakes.
You need someone or something that won’t let you quit when things get difficult.
Your Turn
If you’ve set a big goal for 2026—a real BHAG, not just a wish—ask yourself this:
What will force you to show up when motivation fades?
Not “what will inspire you.” Not “what would be nice to have.” What will make it harder to quit than to keep going?
Pick one form of accountability this week. Make it real. Make it uncomfortable.
Because the gap between intention and transformation isn’t motivation. It’s accountability.
Great2Live 
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