17 January 2008
Making Accountability Actually Count
Posted by Shelly under: Shelly Batterbee .
“It is not only what we do,
but also what we do not do,
for which we are accountable.”
Moliere
Accountability. You all have served up a good dose for me this week, to a point. On Tuesday, Julie quietly shouted at me to not make excuses for myself in her blog entry discussing Challenges vs Excuses (even though I’m sure she didn’t realize–but thanks, Julie!). On Wednesday, my friend Jeanine gave me a push via our chat board early in the morning with our Sole Sister running moms and told me no coffee ’til I got moving–I was dragging and had ‘fessed as much. I’d had that lack-of-sleep night so many of us moms with young kids have–all too often. But both ladies were right–that was no excuse. Throughout the week some of you have responded either on this site to some of my blog entries or in person to me, so I know I’m accountable to you all now to make sure I keep up with my training and don’t slack off.
But what do we do on those days when we wake up with zero motivation to do much of anything? Hold ourselves accountable. Sure, it’s great to have people around feeding you a guilt trip for that extra push, but what about on those days when no one is writing a new blog to give you that boost of motivation, or when no one is posting on your favorite chat board, or no one is emailing you, calling you, or knocking on your door to say, “Get going, would you?!” Whether it’s to get out and run or just to get to the store, sometimes we all need that push, but we can’t always count on it from others.
Hold yourself accountable. (What more were you expecting? It’s really that simple!) :) Give yourself a reason, an excuse, if I may, TO do something…instead of coming up with an excuse to NOT do something (Like how I can spin that challenge back into an excuse, Julie?).
Today happens to mark two years since my Dad passed away, barely 63 years old, of what was most likely a massive heart attack. (He was a thin man, but in February, which is what we can dub Heart Month, I will probably talk about how thin does not always = fit and healthy at some point.) So my Dad is one of my reasons to hold myself accountable. I’m sure I’m making him proud by learning from some of his lifestyle mistakes before they become my lifestyle mistakes–trying to lead a healthier life with exercise and what I choose to eat. I used to try to convince my Dad to eat better or to take a walk around the block with the grandkids, but it didn’t matter. He didn’t really want to do those things. No one could force him to do those things. He didn’t hold himself accountable on some levels.
All of you out there are a reason for my accountability, as well. What kind of role model am I for you, for my kids, for myself if don’t train properly for this? I’m not just attempting a walk to the corner store here. And what does it say if I don’t throw every ounce of enthusiasm I can into this–I am a WARRIOR, after all!!! [you’re thinking of that song now, aren’t you?] ;)
So though I love it when you provide me with guilt (really–please keep it up!), with reasons, with excuses…and though I may say you are holding me accountable…in the end, it is really me doing so for myself. No one has had to come and drag me out the door, stuffing my feet into their shoes. I’ve managed to do it on my own. So I know I can keep it up. I know you can, too.
Hold yourself accountable, as Moliere said, for what you do and what you do NOT do.
And Dad, if someone has introduced the internet superhighway all the way up to Heaven by now, then I just want to say hi, I miss you, and I love you.
3 Comments so far...
Deborah Pieri Says:
17 January 2008 at 11:14 pm.
Don’t give up Shelly. These are the hard days to run. It’s tough to get motivated when the temperatures are low and the winds are blowing. You also have young children who need your attention. It’s a tough balancing act. I remember those sleepless nights with little ones. I hate to tell you that you still have those sleepless nights when they’re teenagers! Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you. Thanks for sharing!
Deb
Bob Says:
18 January 2008 at 8:34 pm.
I’ve found the statement “the hardest part of doing anything is actually showing up and starting” to be true. Once I get up and get to where I am going for a run or a workout, I have the hard part behind me! Hang in there.
shoddy rascal Says:
20 February 2008 at 8:23 pm.
Everything secret degenerates, even the administration of justice — Lord Acton
We had gay burglars the other night They broke in and rearranged the furniture — Robin Williams
When I am dead, I hope it may be said: ‘His sins were scarlet but his books were read — Hillaire Belloc
A free people ought…to be armed… GEORGE WASHINGTON, speech of Jan. 7, 1790 in the Boston Independent Chronicle, Jan. 14, 1790.