Accountability is a great tool for short term change.  It by its very nature helps us change behaviors that we dislike in ourselves.  The challenge is that it is short lived.  Yes, I am well aware that you can establish a habit in 21 days, however, by simply making changes from the outside, the habit will disappear quickly as soon as the accountability is lifted.

Real change needs to come from the inside-out through motivation.  Motivation to be effective must be tied to our values to make us go through the pain of change.  For example, I won’t diet for myself, I may for a day or two, but I will cheat because I value living each day fully more than eating things that taste like cardboard.  Now, I’ve been fit and I’ve been fat.  I don’t like either extreme and think the saying of “nothing tastes better than thin feels” is a lie.  With all that said if I were to venture on a “get in epic Greek God shape” plan (which sounds really cool) I would have to tie that motivation to one of my core values to make it effective.  Since I value my family as a core value I would have to position it in my mind and heart as “health will allow me to live longer and spend more quality time with my kids and future grandkids.” 

Without the tie to our core values, motivation will falter.

Carpe diem,