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We tend to only hold ourselves accountable to the goals that others know about. Tell someone what you’re up to.
As a former competitive athlete I was driven (to an extent) to achieve my own personal goals and glory. For the first 5 years of my competitive career, I was motivated by personal success and to truly find out “what I was made of” and how fit I could actually become.
Signing up to compete in front of an audience or with a public leaderboard can REALLY drive people to push themselves to a level that they wouldn’t have otherwise. Having specific weight loss or measurable goals can serve a similar purpose as we try to establish health and fitness habits.
However…
The true power doesn't come from competing against others or aiming for a specific number on the scale. The real secret weapon is found in something beyond your individual goals and achievements. And, it’s actually not about YOU at all.
In 2014, I was convinced to join Team NorCal for the CrossFit season. At first it seemed like a “cop out,” a step down. Boy, was I wrong.
I competed with the team for both the 2014 and 2015 season, and I can say without question that I never worked harder, cared more, or was more dialed in than when OTHERS were depending on me to follow through. I made my fitness goals BIGGER than me. In the past if I succeeded or failed, it impacted no one but me. My job didn’t depend on it. My family loved me either way. It was entirely for me as an individual athlete.
During that time I had a great training crew. But at the end of the day, it was still every man for himself out on the floor. But, when I jumped on the TEAM. The TEAM….they needed me. I needed them. I wanted to be my best, do my best, because I knew they were working just as hard for me.
“How does this apply to me, Miranda? I am just a normal person who works out in my garage. No one is counting on me to push as hard as I can.”
I challenge each of you to find some form of accountability that involves another person or group of people. People who know the habits you are trying to create or maintain, people who will expect you to check in or will check up on you.
There are countless ways you can do this (especially if you’re a Street Parking member) but before we dive into those strategies, consider two of the most powerful benefits of accountability:
1. An accountability partner or group can create an immediate cost to inaction.
Most people tend to care what others think of us, and we don’t like to let others down. It’s important that you respect the people you choose to partner with on this — and know they want the best for you — but WON’T let you off the hook. The person or people you choose for accountability SHOULD check in on you. To take it a step further, put some stakes or even a couple bucks or some SP Apparel on the line.
Sharing what you are trying to achieve or committing to another person that you will “show up” or “follow through” for a set number of weeks, workouts, or for specific get togethers will also encourage you to truly evaluate your goals.
We tend to either under- or overcommit when we are only committing to ourselves, creating self-imposed limits:.
- We undercommit and don’t have anyone to encourage us to push outside of our comfort zones. This is one major reason we often don’t share our goals with others.
- We overcommit and don’t tell anyone what our plans are. That way, if we “fail,” we have no witnesses.
The person or people that you choose should KNOW the habits you are trying to achieve, know your goals, and should be people that you trust enough to call you out a bit.
2. The right partner or group can talk you off the “I can’t do this” ledge.
We are human. We WILL have bad days. We WILL have days that we don’t feel like trying our best. We WILL go through periods where we feel like we are failing, like when we convince ourselves that doing the workout barefoot at the foot of our bed isn’t enough to “count.” The good news is that your partner or group will often not have a bad day on the SAME day that you do. There is someone on the other end of the phone or email that can help you come up with solutions, tell you that barefoot SHIFT can happen and that it most certainly is “enough” and worth it to support your goals. And when they are flailing, you do the same for them.
“How do I do this? How do I find someone, especially if I train alone at home?”
Here are 7 of our favorite strategies to create accountability with a partner or group:
1. “You just can’t miss” with the weekly Vault workout
Find a partner to do the TEAM version of the Vault workout, whether it’s online or in person.
If you prefer to retest the Vault workouts but want that accountability, you can find an individual or group to share what version you did, weight you used, and your score from last time with the goal to improve or do a less customized version/heavier weight during Round 2. You can even ask for suggestions from the person or group. (Use the SP Members Facebook group to find these people!)
➡️ You could do this with regular Daily workouts or even Extra Program workouts as well. It’s not just limited to the Vault workouts!
2. Form your own Extra Program Focus Group
Reach out to some fellow Street Parkers and ask if anyone wants to complete Butts and Guts Series 1, the Sisyphus Gauntlet, or any other Extra Program as a group. You could take this same approach with any of the 30-Day Nutrition Programs. Check in on Facebook, IG, a group email, or a text thread. It can be as small as 2 people or as big as you want to manage. Share questions, successes, and ask for encouragement!
➡️ If you do this, we love to hear about it. Email support@streetparking.com and let us know about the group you have formed, what you are doing, and when it starts! These groups are “unofficial” but we love to hear about and learn from what you all are doing on your own.
3. Join a Challenge
The Julian vs. Miranda Challenge, now known as the Battle of the Birds Team Competition, was created in 2018 for this EXACT purpose. This challenge is the original SP ACCOUNTABILITY challenge, where committing to something bigger than your own goals takes place, and consistency and follow through are of the utmost importance. Participating in organized challenges – even if they are not specifically “team”-based – can create a similar sense of “in this together” and accountability to following through with goals, improving habits or simply pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.
➡️ Find out more about the Battle of the Birds Team Competition.
4. Make a simple pact or contract with a buddy or a group
Example: Get a friend or a few friends together and set out to complete 4 workouts per week. Everyone puts in $20 (or whatever will motivate, but not break the bank), and the person who lasts the longest wins the pot!
OR: Decide that as a group, that if you all are consistent over a set amount of time, that you all get to buy a new barbell, or an SP Necklace, or will splurge for a weekend getaway together. You get to choose what motivates you. But make it something you really look forward to, and earn it as a group!
5. Find or host a local SP Meetup
We LOVE when members host their own meetups. We have seen first hand how these friendships blossom, as well as the accountability and consistency that comes from meeting SP members IRL. When you know someone from your same zip code, it creates opportunities for in-person accountability – even if it’s only once in a while.
➡️ If you’re considering hosting a meet up, read through our tried-and-true tips on promoting, planning and hosting a meetup in our Hosting A Meet-Up guide!
6. Get your KIDS involved
Involving your family, especially your kids (when age appropriate), can be a powerful way to build accountability and connection. Get them involved in your fitness journey in a few different ways:
- Do the Vault workouts together as a family. Make it a bonding activity where you all push each other and celebrate your progress. Bonus: it’s a great opportunity for modeling friendly competition.
- Set family fitness goals, like training for a 5K, a weekly ruck, or hiking a new trail each month. Let the kids help choose the activities and hold everyone accountable to following through.
- Offer family rewards for consistency, like a special outing or treat. Maybe a trip to the movies, a family game night, or a pizza party - but only if everyone sticks to the plan for the week/month.
Bringing the whole family into your fitness journey creates built-in support and expectation. The kids will feel invested in your success, and you'll be motivated to keep going for them.
7. Use the SP Badges
The badges aren’t technically another person, but they can add an element of accountability to your training. Is there a specific badge that intimidates you to try for on your own such as the 52-Week Endurance or Barbell Club badge? No doubt there are other members working toward them as well, so whether it’s finding those people for support OR simply using the badge as a weekly check-in for personal follow through.
Or perhaps it’s the classic milestones such as the 30-day New Member badge or the 75/365/1000 Days of Workouts milestones, or any of the time-sensitive, pop up-type badges that can keep you consistent by trying to “collect them all.”
The badges aren’t just meant to be visual tokens in your Trophy Case, they can be the impetus behind your commitment to consistency.
The power of accountability is undeniable.
Holding ourselves accountable is hard. It’s easy to make excuses and let ourselves off the hook when no one is watching. But the rewards of tapping into the power of accountability are immense. Stronger habits, better results, and the support of a community who has your back.
So take that first step - reach out, make a pact, join a challenge. The support and camaraderie of community can be the secret weapon you’ve been searching for. The only thing standing in your way is yourself.
Join the Street Parking community to find the accountability you need!
