Be Accountable When You’re Not at 100%

Accountability: anything or anyone that helps you gain mental leverage to achieve the results you desire.

—The Accountability Stop

I’m not running at 100% lately. I’m not sure if I’m sick, depressed, or both. I don’t like admitting that to myself, let alone anyone else. I like to be in a happy and productive state of mind. I like to get my to-do lists done. I hate being held up by anything. 

So here’s a relevant question then: how do we stay accountable when we just don’t feel like it? Maybe we’re depressed, anxious, sick, or jet-lagged. What then?

Think Small

First, don’t undervalue small progress. Taking a few steps forward when we’re not well is better than taking no steps. It often makes us feel better just to have pushed forward a little. Maybe write 50 words instead of 500 today. We can work on our project for 10 minutes if we don’t think we have the energy for an hour or even a half hour. Giving ourselves a small victory instead of feeling defeated altogether is good for recovery.

Cut Back to What’s Essential

If you’re like me, you’re working on several goals and habits at once. When we don’t feel fully up to snuff, we can cut ourselves some slack and accept scaling back in some areas. We can decide what accountability is truly essential right now for us. We can allow ourselves to temporarily let go of other projects or habits that aren’t as important. Giving ourselves that permission can also be a relief and reduce our stress.

Indulge in Some Inspiration

Serendipitously, I just came across this Ted Talk by Diana Nyad. I was absorbed in one of my projects when she swam from Cuba to Florida in 2013 and I never heard about it. Her talk is full of motivation. I used to rely on motivational speeches and articles more heavily in the past. I found that motivation tended to be a high-octane short-term fix for gaining mental leverage. Accountability techniques are better for long-term commitment, in my view. But when we’re down mentally or physically, we can try our favorite inspirational playlist and get some positive vibes.

(Use your own judgment, of course. I’ve been so depressed that any motivational speech rang hollowly in my mind as an accusation of how little I’ve done. If you’re in that state, consider talking to a therapist. Therapy is wonderful.)

What’s Your Account?

What’s your approach to accountability when you’re feeling depressed, sick, or both?