One effective way to achieve any goal, whether it’s fitness-related or personal, is by staying accountable. Accountability is about owning your decisions, staying committed, and consistently pushing yourself to do your best. By exploring different ways to stay accountable, you can sharpen your focus and make incredible progress toward your goals.
5 Ways to Make yourself Accountable
1) Create smaller goals to reach your bigger goals
Have you ever started a goal with tons of energy, only to lose momentum shortly after? One of the best ways to stay accountable is by setting small, manageable goals that you can consistently commit to. If you’re unsure, start with something achievable and build from there. For instance, instead of committing to four kickboxing classes a week, begin with two. Or, if you’re inspired to work out for 30 minutes five days a week, scale back to three days to avoid overwhelming yourself. By setting smaller goals, you maintain control over your schedule, reducing stress and increasing the likelihood of follow-through. These smaller milestones allow for gradual progress with guided steps—without the burnout. Plus, they make your bigger goals feel more attainable by breaking them into mini progress markers.
2) Make the Lists You Create Visible
If you like combining ideas, another way to stay accountable is to place your short-term and long-term goals somewhere visible. Whether you’re into lists or just giving them a try, put them where you’ll see them regularly—on your desk, as a note on your phone’s home screen, or even scribbled on your bathroom mirror. Seeing your goals daily and marking your progress builds focus and confidence. Over time, you’ll pick up momentum! For example, if your goal is to drink more water, you might write ‘8 glasses a day’ on a sticky note and place it on your fridge. Each time you hit your daily target, check it off. The visual reminder and sense of accomplishment will motivate you to keep going.
3) Reward Yourself for Your Hard Work
Another way to stay accountable with your goals is to link healthy rewards to your progress. Choose rewards that motivate you while supporting the lifestyle you’re building. This practice, often referred to as delayed gratification, can help you make better decisions and stay focused. For example, if you’re attending kickboxing classes at Shape Up Kickboxing three times a week, consider rewarding yourself by dropping $10 into a ‘new outfit’ jar after each week. After four weeks, you’ll have $40 to treat yourself to something that boosts your confidence, like new workout gear. This kind of reward is far better than celebrating with fast food that could set you back. By choosing rewards that align with your goals, you’ll feel great about your progress and stay on track without sabotaging your hard work.
4) Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Another way to stay on track with your goals is to identify your strengths and weaknesses and use them to your advantage. While it’s important to acknowledge your strengths, don’t overlook the weaknesses that could hold you back. Instead of letting them defeat your progress, take proactive steps to minimize their impact. For example, if you’re working toward a weight goal, curb your temptation for junk food by making healthier choices in the grocery store. By leaving the junk food out of your cart and stocking up on nutritious snacks, you’ll create an environment that supports your goals. This approach allows you to manage your weaknesses and keep moving forward, instead of letting them derail your success.
5) Ask Good Friends
Don’t hesitate to reach out for help! Asking a trusted friend or two to help you stay accountable can make a big difference in achieving your goals. When choosing someone, look for qualities like reliability, positivity, and an understanding of your goals. A good accountability partner should encourage you on tough days and celebrate your progress without judgment.
For example, if you’re starting a fitness journey, consider asking a friend who shares similar health goals or someone who already has a consistent workout routine. They can inspire you to stick to your plan and might even join you for workouts, making the process more enjoyable. You could also reach out to a fitness group or join a supportive community where everyone works together to stay on track.
At Shape Up Kickboxing, the community of fellow kickboxers and instructors creates a supportive space where everyone helps one another stay accountable. Working out with positive, like-minded people makes achieving fitness goals more fun and motivating.
Reaching your goals isn’t always easy, but staying accountable will take you far. It’s easy to skip a day, take unnecessary breaks, or even quit. But the true challenge lies in developing the consistency and resilience to keep pushing forward. When setbacks happen, simply get back up, dust yourself off, and keep going. It’s not about being perfect, but about building better habits over time. On the tough days, those good habits will be your greatest asset. And if you ever feel stuck, lean on a supportive community that will help you stay on track and achieve your goals—both now and in the future. Ultimately, success comes from the effort you put in each day, no matter how many times you have to start over—every step you take is a step toward becoming the best version of yourself.
Join us at Shape Up Kickboxing today and discover how gratitude can enhance your health and fitness journey. Every punch, kick, and round is an opportunity to appreciate your body and push towards your best self.
For more information about Shape Up Kickboxing, check out our locations! Also, follow us on Facebook! And Youtube!