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Who Are You Accountable To?

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Updated March 16th, 2025

Accountability 101 – Who Are You Accountable To?

“Accountability is the glue that ties commitment to the result.”

Bob Proctor

Have you ever worked with a life coach?

I worked with one for three years. It changed my life.

I would talk to my life coach (Rob Flichel) once a month for one hour…a very small time (and financial) commitment that has paid off in spades.

Of all the benefits of working with a life coach, I would say the biggest one is that it helps me be accountable to someone for achieving my goals and learning the lessons I know I need to learn. Share on X

During our monthly session, Rob would take notes on what I say I am going to do by our next coaching session. Then, in the next session he asked me if I did what I said I was going to do. If I did, he asked me how it went…what worked, what didn’t, what I learned, what tools I used or didn’t use, etc.

If I didn’t get done what I said I was going to, I tell him why. Then together we brainstorm whether my reasons were valid or whether they were excuses.

And here’s the interesting thing:

Having someone to be accountable to has significantly reduced my use of excuses. Share on X

Most of the time now, if I don’t get done what I was hoping to, it isn’t for lack of trying. Rather, I probably just need to make a few tweaks in my game plan.

Or, put another way:

“Barrier Removed” Inspirational Quotes (30 cards per set) are available in our Etsy shop

Another reason I enjoyed working with Rob is because there was no judgement. There was only a discussion on what still needed to be learned (often over and over again!), as well as what could be done better next time. And because Rob was so patient with me, I learned how to be far more patient with myself.

As a life coach, Rob had an awful lot of tools in his toolbox. Once he had a clear idea of what I was struggling with, he would dig into that toolbox and offer me a suggestion or two that I could try. Then I could use the tools that worked for me and toss the rest.

5 things I learned from working with a life coach:

#1. Accountability. When you tell a person you are going accomplish a specific task by a specific date, and you have to report back to that person, there is a significantly better chance you will actually accomplish that task. You may not complete the task by the specified date…but chances are good that you will at least have taken more steps towards doing so, than if you didn’t have someone to report back to on your progress.

#2. The importance of dealing with our underlying beliefs. Quite often when we are not able to meet our goals, or at least make a reasonable effort to do so, there may be some underlying – and unexamined – beliefs, lurking deep within our subconscious mind, that are sabotaging our efforts.

We can’t change what we aren't aware of. Share on X

#3. Know thyself. In terms of being a successful person (whatever that means to you), it is imperative that you figure out what makes you tick and why…and when you tick best. For example, are you attempting to tackle your most important tasks at your least productive time of day?

#4. Keep the faith. If we continue to show up, each and every day, and take whatever steps are available to us (some days they will be big steps and some days small), then the Universe will inevitably step up to the plate and do its part in delivering to us our heart’s desire…even though it may not look anything like what we were expecting.

And the timing rarely seems to be on our timeline!

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

Paulo Coelho, “The Alchemist”

#5. Celebrate your successes. Rob was great at reminding me to celebrate my successes and achievements. When I first started working with him, he would literally say to me, “Maryanne, stop right there. I want you take a moment and pat yourself on the back. Look at what you have accomplished! Celebrate that. Honour that. Feel what that feels like.”

Then I would sit there on the phone, in silence, and actually take a moment to feel that success…celebrate my achievement, regardless of the size. What a concept!

A good life coach motivates, encourages, and challenges his or her player to show up to the plate, every single day.

“My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.”

Hank Aaron

But at some point, of course, we do have to connect. Thankfully, our (multiple) misses can be our best teachers.

A life coach can help us see our blind spots and make suggestions on how we can tweak accordingly. Share on X

Ultimately, however, Rob’s goal as a life coach was to get me to self-coach myself. As the months and years progressed, both he and I agreed I was getting significantly better at doing this.

And then the day came when Rob told me I didn’t need him anymore. I had learned what I could from him…I just had to keep self-coaching myself. And I have!

 

Working with Rob reminded me of the merits of being accountable to someone for meeting my goals. But at the end of the day, I realized that it was ME I have to be accountable to. Rob’s job was to help me get me to that point. And when he did, I was ready fly solo again.

If you are interested in potentially working with Rob, you can contact him at: robertflichel@gmail.com.  

Maryanne Pope is the author of “A Widow’s Awakening.” She also writes screenplays, playscripts & blogs. Maryanne is the CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions and Co-Founder of  the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. To receive her blog, “Weekly Words of Wisdom,” please subscribe here. And be sure to visit our PinkGazelleCards Etsy shop.

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2 thoughts on “Who Are You Accountable To?”

  1. Your West Coaster trip looked rather ominous.
    Wonderful actions
    Reminds me of the storms in Yarmouth, NS, where I grew up.
    Still trying to grow up.

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