Staying Accountable & Adjusting Your Plans When Life Happens

business systems strategic planning Jan 21, 2025

 

You know what always happens? Life. Life happens. Your best-laid plans get derailed, shiny new ideas pop up, or let’s face it — you just get bored doing the same thing every. single. day.

But meaningful progress doesn’t come from chasing shiny objects or waiting for perfect conditions. It comes from sticking to the plan, adjusting when necessary, and staying accountable to your goals.

Today, I’m showing you how to stay on track no matter what life throws at you — and how to measure both the actions you’re taking and the results you’re seeing so you can keep moving forward.

 

Why Accountability & Tracking Inputs and Outcomes Matter
 

Accountability is what keeps your goals alive. It’s not about being perfect — it’s about showing up, tracking your progress, and staying flexible enough to adjust when needed.

Here’s what you’ve been missing. Staying accountable means tracking two things:
1️⃣ Inputs: the actions you’re taking, like sending follow-ups, creating content, or working on your systems.
2️⃣ Outcomes: the results those actions create, like revenue growth, new clients, or engagement.

When you track both, you’re not just checking boxes. You’re actively measuring what’s working and what’s not, so you can make better decisions moving forward.

The 90-Day Goal Tracker is my go-to tool for this. It’s where you’ll measure both your actions and your results, so you always know exactly where you stand. You can grab your copy in my Plug-and-Play Systems Kit.

 

Step 1: Plan for the Week
 

The first step to staying accountable is starting your week with a solid plan.

Here’s my weekly planning process:
1️⃣ Write down 3 wins from last week to start on a positive note.
2️⃣ Review incomplete tasks and move any must-do’s to this week.
3️⃣ Look at your Big 1-3 from last week. What got done? What didn’t?
4️⃣ Review your upcoming tasks and calendar, then pick your Big 1-3 for this week.
5️⃣ Prioritize and plan other tasks around those Big 1-3.

💡 Pro Tip: Use the 90-Day Goal Tracker to make sure your weekly tasks align with your bigger goals. This keeps your focus where it needs to be (on the actions that drive real progress).

 

Step 2: Prioritize for the Day
 

Once your week is planned, it’s time to zoom in on your daily priorities. Here’s how:
1️⃣ Update your Scorecard by adding the number of actions you completed yesterday.
2️⃣ Review your Weekly Big 1-3 and select your Big 1-3 for today.
3️⃣ Estimate how long each task will take and block off time on your calendar to get it done.
4️⃣ If there’s extra time, add 2-3 smaller tasks—but only if they’ll fit into your schedule without overwhelming you.

The goal here is focus, not multitasking. By tracking your actions daily, you’re creating momentum and staying accountable to your bigger vision.

 

Step 3: Update the 90-Day Goal Tracker & Adjust
 

At the end of each week (or the beginning of the following week), it’s time to reflect and adjust. Here’s how to use your 90-Day Goal Tracker:
1️⃣ Review your Scorecard to see how many actions you completed. Did you hit your targets?
2️⃣ Compare your actual numbers to your KPIs. Are your actions creating the results you want?
3️⃣ Adjust your plan for the upcoming week based on what the data tells you.

This step isn’t about beating yourself up if you didn’t hit every target. It’s about using the information to make smarter, more focused decisions moving forward. Think of it as your early warning system for staying on track.

 

Overcoming Common Challenges
 

Now, let’s talk about two major accountability killers: shiny objects and boredom.

1️⃣ Shiny Objects: It’s tempting to chase new ideas when the work gets hard or repetitive, but those shiny objects are usually just distractions in disguise. Stick with your plan, even when it feels tough.
2️⃣ Boredom: Let’s face it—progress is often boring. It’s the consistent, unsexy work that moves the needle. Celebrate your small wins along the way to keep yourself motivated and remind yourself why this work matters.

💡 Pro Tip: Use your Scorecard to track even the smallest wins. Seeing progress, no matter how small, keeps the momentum going.

 

What’s one thing you can do this week to stay accountable to your goals? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re staying on track.

And if you’re ready to streamline your accountability process, grab my Plug-and-Play Systems Kit. It’s packed with tools like my 90-Day Goal Tracker, Scorecard, and KPI Tracker to help you stay focused, flexible, and unstoppable — even when life happens.

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