There is a lot of evidence out there proving that accountability systems work, especially when it comes to changing routine behavior such as exercising, dieting, and studying.

For those that don't know, an accountability system is basically just a situation (that you create), which pressures to you come through on promised actions. For example, say you and your friend make a pact that you're going to go to the gym every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. Then, you decide that after leaving the gym every day, you'll both take home each other's gym shoes (or bag or whatever). So your gym shoes stay at your friend's house. And your friend's gym shoes stay at your house. Then, Monday morning comes around, and you really, really, really don't feel like going to the gym. But if you don't go to the gym, then your friend won't have any gym shoes when he/she gets there later this morning. So you have no choice but to go. Your friend is counting on you. You've created an accountability system.

There's evidence that these work, so it makes sense that so many sites, books, and experts push accountability systems.

But, honestly, I don't do accountability systems. I've never even tried to, because I rarely tell someone when I set a goal for myself. For me, goals have always been very personal, and they're not the type of thing that I like sharing with people. In fact, I've found that when I share my goals with people, I lose my motivation to complete them.

I'm not alone in this. In fact, there's a rather popular TED Talk that explains (scientifically) why not keeping your goals to yourself can have negative consequences. At the end of that video, he mentions a way that it is okay to discuss one's goals, but, rather than get into that, I'll just leave some links for accountability systems. I don't really have any business giving advice that I don't practice, right?

• Entrepreneur: Why an Accountability Buddy Is Your Secret Weapon for Faster Growth
• FluentIn3Months: Forget “Learning a Language." Focus on Forming the Habit
• zen habits: The Biggest Reasons You Haven't Changed Your Habits

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