Webster dictionary defines accountability as “the quality or state of being accountable,” or “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions.” During planning session for cooking class in the community, many times we discuss should we charge a fee for the guests or not. I found when we charge for a fee to attend we place an accountability to the guests who are coming to the cooking class.

Whether it’s losing weight, improving sleep, increasing stamina, going to work, lowering stress, or reversing chronic disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, we want to improve our health and reach our health goals; making these goals we often stumbles and involve accountability. We stumble because lack of knowledge, lack of time etc. many times it is lack of motivation, accountability, poor planning and implementation.

According to research by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) (1) the odds of a person performing an action go up dramatically when they have a specific accountability appointment. The research revealed the probability percentage of completing a goal if:

You have an actual idea or goal – 10%
You consciously decide you will do it – 25%
You decide when you will do it – 40%
You plan how you will do it – 50%
You commit to someone you will do it – 65%
You have a specific accountability appointment with a person you have committed to – 95%

You noted the highest percentage (95%) mentioned above that probability of completing a goal when you have a specific accountability appointment with a person you have committed to. Accountability helps us reach our goals because we:

-Receive encouragement and motivation
-Are pushed to go further and held accountable for our commitments
-Share our struggles and celebrate our successes with someone who cares

Psalm 119:172: “My tongue will sing your word, for all your commandments are right.” 1 Thess. 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” The spirit of God will lead you in the path of the commandments because God’s commandments are right. For the promise is that when He, the spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth.

God holds everyone of us to an individual accountability. Call upon Him to help achieve and reach some of those elusive health goals. Don’t forget to encourage and build one another up.

May you have an abundant life!

Yin Schaff, Health Ministries Coordinator