Goals Gone Wild November 24, 2006

Crime and Punishment

Matthew Poepsel, LeftBrain/Co-Founder

I stood at the counter of the Centerville Public Library with several overdue library books in my hand. Rather than hang my head in shame, I stood tall, resigned to accept my fate. Nearby, a library lady was sorting a stack of books that had surely been returned in a timely fashion by patrons far more responsible than myself. I softly cleared my throat to get her attention.

She stepped to the counter and smiled pleasantly. "Can I help you?" she asked.

"I've been a naughty boy."

Her expression changed somewhat. (I don't think that her intensive library training had properly prepared her to deal with someone like me.)

"These books are overdue." I continued.

She seemed relieved. (Who gets these library people, anyway?) She scanned my library card and turned toward her 1970s era computer workstation. (Look everybody - it's a Wang!)

As I watched the computer screen reflecting from her decorative bifocals, I prepared myself for the worst. You see, I hate it when I screw something up. I don't like being late or letting people down. Sometimes it makes me physically ill. When you involve authority figures - parking officials, professors, my boss, Mary Lou Retton, library ladies - I really hate not being at my best.

But I had slipped up, and there she stood - judge, jury, and executioner. The very sight of her menacing brooch and the her "#1 Grandmother" necklace sent shivers down my spine.

Lady Justice had reached her verdict. It came swiftly and coldly. "OK, Mr. Poepsel. Sorry to keep you waiting. The total comes to $2.95."

What?! That's it? A lousy three bucks?

I had made a mistake - where was the punishment? I had deprived other library patrons of their chance to read "Amelia Bedilia" and "Public Speaking for Dummies" for several days longer than they should be expected to wait. I'm sure they wept as they returned each day to find an empty slot on their shelf of dreams. For such a disgusting act, three bucks hardly presented a deterrent. (Inspector Javert would not be amused.)

Alright, so we're only talking about library books. I get that.

But what if it had been something truly important? What if I had made a commitment, not to the town library, but to myself? If I set a goal for myself, it's at least as binding as my agreement with the library. Only with my goals, I have to hold myself personally accountable.

In my conversations with people from all walks of life, I find that there are a few common reasons we fail to reach our full potential. Many of us don't have a clearly defined vision, we don't have a clear plan for achievement, we don't properly set goals, or we don't hold ourselves accountable to follow through.

When it comes to the last one - personal accountability - remember that you set the fines in your life. You and you alone can keep yourself honest. Exercising accountability is an excellent habit to get into. Give yourself an assignment (a task and a deadline) and promise yourself that you'll follow through.

If you don't have a clear vision for your life and a fully detailed plan for success, don't worry. You can still up your accountability even with everyday tasks - it's practice that matters.

If no task immediately comes to mind, consider taking on this assignment:

By the end of the day today, take out a piece of paper and make a quick list of five personal values.

This simple exercise should take you less than sixty seconds and there are no wrong answers. So what are you waiting for? Tonight, right before you go to sleep, review your list and congratulate yourself on a job well done. (If you want extra credit, stop by the THRIVE! discussion board and share your list with the gang.)

If you didn't get around to accomplishing the mission, you'll need to pay the piper. Shoot me an email at matthew@icanthrive.com and I'll give you a make-up assignment.

When it comes to accountability, I'm not saying that you should be too hard on yourself. But, if you're going to accomplish your goals, you need to keep yourself honest - reward yourself for achievement and push yourself when you come up short.

And don't forget to turn in your overdue library books.

email: contact@icanthrive.com

web: http://www.icanthrive.com