How accountable are you for your business decisions and behaviours?
For a lot of people, your truly certainly included and on the top of the list, nothing happens quickly unless there’s a real deadline to meet. For example, if your client says “anytime in November is fine”, then the job won’t get completed until the end of the month. Whereas if they say “I need it this week”, then sure enough, the job gets completed by Friday.
I think a lot of soloists work in this slightly haphazard way without setting deadlines, and it can become a major source of stress.
Countless people in organizations everywhere waste time and resources digging useless holes, and engaging in mindless behaviours that defy logic is the antithesis of accountability. It’s too easy to let yourself slide. You have to commit to someone … your manager, a colleague, a client, someone. Accountability means more than just doing the job. It includes an obligation to make things better, to pursue excellence, and to do things in ways that further the goals of your business. Be accountable, and it will motivate you to finish.