Unique Results Blog

Who’s Holding You to Account?

How often in life do you settle for mediocrity or even poor performance?

How often do you make excuses for a lack of taking action or simply not following through?

If you, like me, are honest then you will probably answer these questions with anywhere between ‘sometimes’ to ‘far too much’ or even ‘the majority of the time’

Why is that? Why do we fail to live up to our potential so often and live a life of mediocrity punctuated by fleeting moments of brilliance or distinction?

The simple answer in my opinion is…….SH*T gets in the way! Or, more accurately, we let SH*T get in the way. Or more accurately still, we see SH*T and subconsciously or consciously think ‘that SH*T will make a handy excuse for mediocrity and people (including myself) will let me off the hook for not doing such and such!’

Take for example the recent bout of snow we experienced in the UK. How many of us in all honesty used that as an excuse for, at worst – a week off! At best – a pretty lazy unproductive week?

I have heard numerous people say ‘I didn’t train last week because of the snow’ REALLY! Are you sure about that? Or was the snow just the natural phenomena required to form an easy, readymade excuse for laziness? After all, most of the country used it as such!

Some people took the initiative and phoned me and said ‘Because of the snow and ice, it is not safe to run outside but I really want to train. Let me know when it is ok to come in and do my running on the treadmill inside’ FANTASTIC!

Other options included exercising at home (if you were really cut off by the snow) stretching, body weight exercises, pilates, exercise DVDs or any number of easy solutions.

What would really help us to stay on track and achieve our potential?

The answer is someone to hold us to account, to keep us on track. To recognise when we are making excuses and effectively not let us get away with it. Not to bully us but merely to make sure we stay good to our word and most importantly start playing life at a level worthy of us.

I personally have two fantastic boxing coaches who push me far harder than I would ever push myself. A business coach who keeps me focussed towards my goals and vision. An accountability partner in Australia, who holds me to my work and life commitments. I am also a member of a regular mastermind group who meet and discuss achievements and challenges with the sole aim of progressing the combined success of the group.

All of these channels have one thing in common – they hold me to account and push me harder in all areas of life than I would push myself.

So the question today is ‘Who’s holding you to account and making sure you perform at a level you will be truly proud of?’

If the answer is no one! Fix that fast and see your effectiveness skyrocket to a whole new level!

Yours in health,

James St Pierre