How To Hold Yourself Accountable When Starting an Online Business in 2024

Last updated: 05/03/2024 Written by: Ruby Layram

Accountability is one of the most crucial traits that you can have when starting an online business. It involves taking responsibility for your actions, setting realistic expectations, and recognizing the impact of your habits and emotions on your business outcomes. Understanding how to hold yourself accountable can help you to stay on track and achieve your goals.

In this article, we will explore why accountability is important for online business owners, discuss five habits of accountable people, and provide practical tips on how to hold yourself accountable when starting an online business or side hustle.

"You're going to mess up. So instead of trying to be perfect, learn how to be accountable." - Whitney Goodman

5 Habits of Accountable People

Accountability does not come naturally to everyone and it is often something that you learn over time. Accountable people share certain traits that allow them to hold themselves responsible and take action on mistakes that they make.

Here are 5 habits that you could consider adopting to become an accountable person.

1. Don't make excuses

Accountable individuals do not make excuses for their actions or behaviors. Instead, they take ownership and accept responsibility for the consequences of their choices. This means avoiding the temptation to blame others for negative outcomes.

As an online business owner, learning not to make excuses can be incredibly beneficial for your success. When you stop making excuses, you take full responsibility for your actions and decisions, leading to a more proactive mindset.

This shift empowers you to tackle challenges head-on, find creative solutions, and adapt to changing circumstances effectively.

2. Take responsibility for your actions

Being accountable means acknowledging that your actions have an impact. It involves recognizing that you have control over your decisions and their outcomes.

Taking responsibility for your actions not only involves avoiding the temptation to blame others but, it also means acting thoughtfully and with intention. Accountable people are aware of the consequences that their actions and decisions might have before acting on them.

3. Understand that you control your fate

Accountable people have a mindset that empowers them. They believe that they are in control of their own destiny and that their efforts directly influence their success.

Understanding that you are in control of your fate can greatly benefit online business owners in reaching their goals. This realization empowers individuals to take ownership of their actions and decisions, leading to a proactive approach in navigating challenges and pursuing opportunities.

By acknowledging their agency in shaping outcomes, business owners are more likely to set clear objectives, devise strategic plans, and stay motivated in the face of setbacks..

4. Set realistic expectations

Setting realistic expectations is crucial for accountability. Accountable individuals set achievable goals and establish clear benchmarks to measure progress.

Having realistic expectations will prevent you from setting yourself up for disappointment and encourage you to keep going through setbacks. It is important to understand that starting an online business isn’t smooth sailing. There will be days when things don’t go to plan and that is part of the process.

5. Be aware of your habits and emotions

Accountability requires self-awareness. Being aware of your habits and emotions allows you to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments to enhance your accountability.

A good way to do this is to invest in a daily habit tracker and use this to take note of your habits throughout the day. After a few weeks, assess your habits to understand potential bottlenecks that you might have.

How To Hold Yourself Accountable When Starting an Online Business

Now that you understand more about accountability and what makes an accountable person, let’s take a look at how online business owners can become more accountable on their journey to entrepreneurship.

Here are a few steps that you could take to improve your accountability and reach your goals in 2024.

Clearly define your goals

Begin by clearly defining your goals. Make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This will provide a clear direction and a sense of purpose.

By clearly defining your goals, it is easier to understand what actions you need to take to achieve them. This will help you to make informed decisions and act with intention.

Create a plan with deadlines

Create a detailed plan that outlines the steps you need to take to achieve your goals. Break it down into smaller tasks and assign deadlines to each task. This will help you stay organized and focused.

When creating your plan, ensure that the deadlines are realistic. By giving yourself impossible goals, you will set yourself up for failure. Instead, make sure that each deadline fits within your limits so that you can start each task knowing that it is possible to complete it.

Also read: How to write a business plan with ChatGPT

Start small and work your way up

Don't overwhelm yourself by taking on too much at once. Start with smaller, manageable tasks and gradually work your way up. This will prevent burnout and keep you motivated.

Starting with smaller tasks is a good way to build the skillset that is required to tackle larger online business tasks with confidence. This will help you to feel more capable.

Recognize the small wins

Celebrating your progress along the way is crucial for maintaining motivation. Acknowledge and celebrate every small win, as it will provide a sense of accomplishment and spur you on to achieve more.

Share your goals with friends and family

Sharing your goals with trusted friends and family members can provide external accountability. They can offer support, and encouragement, and hold you accountable for staying on track.

I personally found sharing my goals with friends and family to be the turning point in my online business. By doing so, I felt determined to prove to everyone that I could do what I set out to.

Learn to recognize when you are procrastinating

Procrastination can hinder your progress and prevent you from achieving your goals. Learn to recognize when you are procrastinating and take immediate action to get back on track.

A good way to do this is to take note of everything that you do throughout the day. Be honest and try to report as much as possible. After a few days, take a look at your notes to determine areas of procrastination. For example, you might notice that you spend 45 minutes on Instagram every afternoon after your lunch break or that you tend to watch YouTube on your laptop before starting any tasks.

Use tools such as time management techniques and productivity apps to help you overcome procrastination. You could also set time limits on apps that might stop you from completing tasks efficiently (we’ve all been there!).

Conclusion

In conclusion, holding yourself accountable is crucial for success as an entrepreneur. It requires self-discipline, honesty, and a willingness to take responsibility for your actions.

By cultivating the habits of accountable people, such as not making excuses and setting realistic expectations, and implementing strategies such as clearly defining your goals and creating a plan with deadlines, you can stay on track and make progress in your online business journey.

Remember to stay focused and adjust your plan as needed. Recognize the small wins along the way and celebrate your accomplishments. Holding yourself accountable is not always easy, but it is necessary for personal and professional growth. Embrace the challenge and keep pushing forward towards your goals.

By following these key takeaways, you can create a solid foundation for your online business and pave the way for long-term success.

FAQs