Accountability partners

Purpose Project is built around several core principles. One is that inner transformation and outer contribution are more a result of dedication, consistency, and routine than single moments of profound insight or action. When we can alter the building blocks of our daily life and change course even by just a few degrees, in time, we can find ourselves in entirely new places.

Another core principle is that we are most able to make significant changes to our habits when we do so in relationship with others. Our new habits have a better chance of sticking when we allow others to witness, encourage, and celebrate us, and hold us accountable when we need it.

For that reason, group accountability is a fundamental component of the program. At the end of each weekly mastermind session, we each make a commitment to implement something new in our lives over the next week (or simply reaffirm commitments from previous weeks). At the beginning of each session, we reflect on how the last week went. We celebrate wins. We ask for support when we need it. And we lovingly interrogate the underlying reasons when we fall short of our commitments.

It’s simple, but having others to help hold you accountable in this way can be incredibly effective. In that decisive moment when you can either choose to do or not do the thing, just knowing that you’ll soon have to report back to the group can make all the difference. And if you’re feeling lazy, weak, or unmotivated, you can reach out to the group for support and inspiration.

I’ve had a personal accountability partner for over three years now. Sherman and I chat on the phone most mornings, reporting on how yesterday went and what we want to commit to for today. It’s become an important and fun part of my daily routine.

But in preparation for the Purpose Project, I want to ask you all to help hold me accountable now, too. This will both demonstrate that I truly walk the walk and practice what I preach, and also offer me genuine help in implementing some desired changes in my life.

So here goes. Between now and December 1, I commit to:

1. Meditate for 20 minutes every day: I’ve actually been doing this one for 74 days already, according to my meditation app. But it’s been incredibly important and helpful. I feel so much less reactive, especially with my kids. I want to keep going with it. If I occasionally miss the full 20 minutes, I have 24 hours to make up the missed time.
2. No smoking/inhaling: I have had a long history with smoking cannabis. Lately, it feels mostly like a crutch that doesn’t serve me. I find it works well to limit myself to edibles. That way, I can control the dose and remove the impulsive, dopamine hit cycles of smoking. I have also gone in and out of cycles with tobacco and nicotine. This commitment covers both. Above all else, this is an act of devotion to my physical health and singing voice. No inhaling smoke or vapor of any kind. No exceptions.
3. No meat: For a long time, I’ve sensed that eating a lot of meat is out of integrity for me. I do not want to be complicit in the climate impacts and animal cruelty. No mammals or birds. Fish and eggs are OK. Meat that would otherwise go to waste is OK.

This starts today! To make sure I stick to this, I am going to include a little accountability tracker at the bottom of my daily newsletter. Thanks for the support.