m.a.r.c.h.
"In order to get to where you want to be, you have to take stock of where you are now" - Mark Cuban
Frankly, I didn't expect Mark Cuban to lead this entry. I suppose the algorithm thought I should hear from him today. I'm not mad at it. It worked for me today.
Accountability needs strategy, and a place to start is asking where you want to be. For me, it means taking into account elements such as your motivations, attributes, resources, challenges, and habits related to the goal you have in mind. This is not an exhaustive list, but understanding these elements will give you a strong foundation.
So where do we even start? Glad you asked. A personal accountability coach is a valuable resource that can streamline the process of building a habit or reaching a goal. Our job is to plan, strategize, and train you to rely on yourself to optimize your time. However, this is also something you can do on your own.
Let's use an example:
Where do you want to be?
I will use examples from my own life to explain concepts – I'm better at it, and I find it helpful to apply my own advice.
One of my goals is to expand my coaching business and my blog by publishing more. I want this because I believe my ideas will resonate and because the best way to learn more is to teach, explain, and have those same ideas challenged. Ultimately, striving to understand is what we do. The pursuit itself is the joy.
Therefore, I want to be in a place where I can build a community of accountability enthusiasts by being myself and tackling questions about life and this subject. Let's brainstorm the elements I described above using this goal as my guide:
I like acronyms, and this one was too good to pass up: MARCH (or CHARM – take your pick). I prefer MARCH because it makes the framework start with motivation, and it's a clear action making it easier for my brain to connect with.
Motivations: What pulls you forward?
Attributes: What parts of your personality can help you?
Resources: What resources do you have?
Challenges: What is in your way?
Habits: What habits do you have that can be tied to this new habit?
Let's use these elements to start taking stock of where I am:
Where am I now?
I am motivated by my curiosity. A blog and coaching business are new for me, but the concepts I coach are not. I’ve been studying the principles of personal accountability for a decade, so I am motivated by the desire to publish and coach.
Attributes that will help me are patience and enjoyment of challenging activities that bring my dopamine back to equilibrium.
My resources include technology, strategic and follow-through skills, a supportive community, and the energy of a 33-year-old.
I am challenged by other activities that compete for my time and by my internal battles.
My morning routine is the most consistent habit of my day, so I could potentially integrate my writing into it. However, I also have a 9 to 5 job and prefer to use my morning to prepare for my day. Additionally, I don't want to start my morning staring at a computer screen. So, even though my morning routine is my most consistent habit, I believe it would be more effective to attach my writing to my evening routine which is not as ingrained in my system, but is more flexible.
I like my MARCH assessment. It's a truth I believe for myself, and it's straightforward. Your assessment may be more elaborate or less so. This is not the end goal; it's the starting point of the journey.
Now it's your turn! Take a few minutes to reflect on your own goals. Use the MARCH framework to assess your current situation. Where are you now in relation to where you want to be? What steps can you take today to move closer to your goals?
