Accountability Circle – Participant Guide

Why This Group Exists

This accountability circle exists to help you follow through on what matters.

We believe accountability works best when:

• Goals are connected to who you want to be, not just what you want to do
• Commitments are small, specific, and visible
• Progress is supported by peers, not pressure

This is not a therapy group, a networking group, or a place to collect ideas. It is a place to act with intention.

---

The Framework (How It All Fits Together)

We work across four layers:

1. Purpose – Why your life and effort matter
2. Values – The principles you refuse to compromise
3. Goals – Medium-term outcomes (often 8–12 weeks)
4. Commitments – Short-term actions you complete this week

Purpose gives meaning. Values define identity. Goals provide direction. Commitments create momentum.

---

Step 1: Your Foundation (Done Once, Revisited Occasionally)

Before setting goals, you clarify:

Your Purpose (1 sentence)

A simple statement of how you aim to serve or contribute.

Example:

“To help people grow and improve their lives through creativity, problem-solving, and compassion.”

Your Core Values (3–5)

Values are non-negotiable principles, not aspirations.

Examples:

• Integrity
• Growth
• Service
• Courage
• Creativity

These values become the lens for choosing goals.

---

Step 2: Turning Values into Goals (The Bridge)

Goals should express your values in visible behavior.

The Key Question

“If I truly lived this value, what would I be doing differently?”

Example

• Value: Growth
• Visible behavior: Learning consistently
• 12-week goal: Learn the fundamentals of web development
• Weekly behavior: Code 4 times per week for 30 minutes

This ensures your goals are not random—they are identity-aligned.

---

Step 3: Weekly Commitments (What We Track)

We do not track intentions. We track commitments.

A Commitment Is:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Time-bound
• Slightly uncomfortable

Example:

“I will complete 3 workouts by Sunday night.”

Not:

“I’ll try to exercise more.”

Each week, you will make 1–2 commitments maximum.

---

Step 4: Weekly Meeting Structure

Each meeting follows the same rhythm:

1. Brief Check-in (1 sentence)

   • “What was challenging this week?”

2. Commitment Review

   • What you committed to
   • What you completed (yes/no)
   • If no: one sentence explaining why

3. New Commitment

   • What you will complete before the next meeting

4. Optional Ask

   • Feedback, ideas, or perspective (only if requested)

Meetings are focused, respectful, and time-bound.

---

Group Agreements (Non-Negotiable)

By participating, you agree to:

• Be honest about what you did and didn’t do
• Avoid vague commitments
• Take ownership without self-judgment
• Respect confidentiality
• Not rescue, shame, or lecture others
• Keep advice optional and requested

Accountability here is about ownership, not perfection.

---

How to Succeed in This Group

• Start smaller than you think
• Prioritize consistency over intensity
• Missed commitments are data, not failure
• Speak plainly and briefly
• Let your actions reinforce your identity

We don’t measure success by outcomes. We measure it by keeping commitments aligned with our values.

---

One Sentence to Remember

Because I value ___, I commit to ___.

This is the heart of the accountability circle.