Life Lessons
The Single Most Important Thing Successful People Never Tell You
What Self-improvement Experts Gatekeep From You
The gurus might gatekeep it, but I am here to reveal something that is often overlooked in the self-improvement society.
We have all been smothered with articles going on and on about how we should be consistent, have a writing routine, pick a niche, and treat our writing like a full-time occupation.
These articles promise us that the followers will start rolling in if we do these things. I can't go full ham on these articles, even if they only provide you with the most basic tips, they aren't lying.
You do need to be consistent.
You do need to have some routine.
You do need to give your writing a tad bit more importance if you plan on gaining more followers and tripling your earnings.
I'm very proud of you for swallowing these hard pills.
(There is, however, one more pill that is rarely talked about, because of how well it works.)
Now, without wasting any more time chit-chatting or rambling on and on, I present to you, the sentence that might just transform your productivity.
(The suspense is rising)
The pill, that once you swallow it, will change you as a writer!
(The suspense is still rising)
Start holding yourself accountable.
(The suspense has not only drastically fallen, but threw itself out the window, stood up, dug its own grave, and is now in a better place)
Ameen. May it rest in peace.
OK BUT NOW SERIOUSLY WHAT THE CLAP?
“Every single person talks about accountability. What a load of rubbish, nothing to see here, except the same old advice.”
I am aware many people advise you to keep track of your progress and check in on yourself. But this is not what I'm here to do.
My sole purpose for writing this article instead of some nice poetry is because:
You're doing it the wrong way.
Habit trackers and journaling daily are simply not long-lasting undertakings. To hold yourself accountable, really hold yourself accountable, you have 3 options (The last one being the most effective):
1. Treat your time how you treat your money:
You would rather be slapped across the face than waste a single hard-earned cent on anything that isn't worth it.
Similarly, if you are truly passionate about something, keep track of how much time you are investing into it daily. You will stumble upon the realization, that you have invested a lot of time into, let's say, writing online.
Now, you have already spent a good chunk of your time on Medium, so giving up would be like buying a luxury item and then burning it to a crisp.
It would be a complete waste.
Hold yourself accountable for how much time you spend doing what and if it can be beneficial for you in the future.
2. Recognize the cues:
In Atomic Habits., James Clear talks about how we all have cues in our day-to-day lives. For instance, when you hear the alarm, you wake up (Most of the time) or when you're cleaning you play a certain playlist, when you're in the kitchen you pour yourself some coffee, etc. Numerous cues make us do things subconsciously.
How can you use this to your advantage?
Recognize when, where, and around which people, you tend to procrastinate.
If you scroll for hours on end alone, maybe you should leave your phone on the kitchen counter. So that whenever you scroll for too long, a family member notices and points it out, making you feel unproductive and stop scrolling.
If you watch reels the second you get up, put your phone next to your pile of assignments so that you think twice before doom-scrolling.
If you have issues with finding motivation and overthinking, put your jacket in the bathroom, so that you go out for a walk early in the morning and get a chance to clear your thoughts.
Find the cues that lead you toward your goals and improve them.
3. Tell someone who means a lot to you, that you will achieve your goal:
Not someone who is condescending or disloyal, but rather a trusted friend who will keep reminding you of your promise to yourself.
If you are friendless(Hey, welcome to the club) then film a short video of you explaining your dream life and pretend you are already living it. Tell the camera about your ideal routine, your possessions, and all the things you have achieved. You can also write a letter to your future self. Play that video every day, or read that letter every evening.
It will fuel you with motivation.
Accountability is often overlooked, but in the end, you will only make it that far, if you start holding yourself accountable for where you spend your time and energy on.
