You want to change. You're motivated to change. You've created a plan for change. You've even told others about your plan to change. Yet, you're still not changing. Why? Usually, it's not because you haven't prayed about the change. It's not because you're not reading your Bible. It's not because you're not following God. Usually, it's because you don't have someone in your life who is actually holding you accountable to the change.
Let me be honest here and share with you one of my struggles. I have had a life-long struggle with weight. It's not that I'm way overweight, just 10-15 lbs. overweight, but it is my struggle. Since I stopped playing soccer and tennis in high school, I have not been able to shake the 10-15 pound problem (especially, because I love to eat). So, year after year, I've gone to the gym just enough to not get any worse. I've written 20 plans on getting into shape. I've read more books and articles than I care to admit. I've prayed about it and memorized scripture about it. And I've had a gym membership for the past twelve years to a local club that's on my way home from work (incredibly convenient). Yet, twelve years later, I'm still the same 10-15 pounds over what I should be.
Well, a few months ago, a friend of mine, John Philbin, voted one of the top 100 trainers in America, opened a new club, Philbin's Family Fitness and Athletic Training Center about fifteen minutes away from my house (not convenient). Another friend, Tim Gearhart, who attends our church has been working with John on this project and has invited me to come down to the club several times. However, in my mind, I just kept putting it off because I thought, "There's no way I will consistently go to a gym that's fifteen minutes away." So I didn't.
Then a few weeks ago, as i was once again pondering my lack of change in this area, I thought, "What I really need is some accountability. Who do i know who will stay in my face and make me work?" Immediately, Tim came to mind. So, the next Sunday I asked Tim if he would help me get into shape. Tim, who is in phenomenal shape, said, "Of course." So, this past Monday, I stopped putting off going to see Tim (you know, I better get in shape before I meet with him or I'll be embarrassed) and went to see him. It was a cold rainy evening, the kind of evening I would normally put off working out—but I couldn't because I had a workout scheduled with him—and boy did he put me through the ringer. Yet, despite all of the sore muscles, it felt great. Not because of the workout, but because of the hope.
In fact, I said to Tim and John, "You know, after twelve years of going to a gym that's convenient, I don't have much to show for it. So I guess driving the extra fifteen minutes is worth it if I have you two making sure I actually make the changes I need to make." And Tim is on my case. Last night, I worked as hard as the first day of soccer practice in high school (and felt just as light headed). Every time I would try to skimp by something, Tim was on my case. It really didn't matter what I had done, Tim kept saying, "Come on, two more. You can do it" So push I did. Harder than I have in decades. Frequently, as sweat was pouring off of me, I would jokingly say, "You know, our friendship has ceased, don't you?" "Until finally, at one point, I said to Tim, as he was handing me another weight, "Tim, I'm really not kidding. I can't stand up unless you have a waste basket nearby." Yet, I'll be back for more because I know, on my own, I won't do what I know I need to do. Driving the extra fifteen minutes is absolutely worth it because apart from accountability, I'll remain the same. I just know me.
And you know you (and your employees or church members). Without some system of accountability, most people won't change. You (and they) can write plans all day long. But if someone isn't involved in holding you (or them) accountable, it probably won't happen. The old adage, "It's not what's expected, but what's inspected, that gets done," still holds true. So, how are you building accountability into your life? Your church's life? Your employee's lives? Your church member's lives? Because if there is no accountability, there probably won't be any change. There may be effort, but there won't be significant change.
