While self-help is a great concept, it has failed in practice for many. The fact that is it is called self-help is the reason why—it revolves around the self. We can go workshops and retreats, and then we go home (alone) and read books, watch videos, and know exactly what to do and how to do it, but yet we don’t. And the reason is that individuals can’t hold themselves accountable to their highest selves. Period.

Don’t buy anymore personal development programs unless accountability comes with it. We overestimate about ability to overcome the inertia and comfort of life as it is. We can hold ourselves accountable to who we know ourselves to be, but it takes something or someone else to push us further. I have an extremely high level of self-discipline, yet even still, my discipline only takes me to the edge of where, what, and who I know I already am.

How were you able to write a 30 page paper in one night?
Accountability from a teacher (and your parents).

How were you able to complete that marathon?
Accountability from your running group and sponsors.

How were you able to finish your college or graduate school applications?
Accountability from admissions officer.

How were you able to deliver that client what they needed with short notice?
Accountability from your boss and team.

Accountability is the key to your development. And the most effective form of accountability is other people. While friends may be okay accountability partners, a great partner is someone who only cares about you reaching your new higher. They don’t care about your excuses, emotions, or ego. All they care about is your core.

If we look to sports, almost all professional athletes have coaches—even those who play individual sports like bowling, golf, or tennis. A coaches pushes us beyond our perceived self-set limits. When you’ve done 3 sets of 12 reps, they push you to 4. When we think we’ve reached our max, they push us to our new higher.

I’m looking to hire a coach right now. They’ll likely have a coach too or some sort of accountability system in their own life. They’ll be able to see what’s possible through me in such a big way that I get a headache hearing their vision for me. And they’ll tangible results in their own life and the lives of their clients.

The reason I’ve been able to achieve so much so early in my life without a coach is that I’ve always been the youngest in any environment I’ve been in which forced me to play at a higher level. My best friend growing up with 4 years older than me. Imagine playing him in a game of 21 or boxing. My birthday was a few days before the baseball cut-off date, so I had to play in the older division. I entered undergrad with sophomore credits and graduate school 3 years younger than the average so my classmates were older and more experienced and I had to catch up. Being the youngest pushed me, but as an adult, age is less significant and those structured environment are gone.

With coaching and my Guaranteed Goals Group, I’m certain that this year is destined for more growth inward, forward, deeper, and higher than would be possible for me without them.

How valuable would a coach be to you?