Video: For Habits, the Strategy of Accountability. | Gretchen Rubin [Skip to content](#content) [ ![](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/gretchenrubin-logo-768x344.png) ](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com) - July 3, 2014 - [Habit-change strategies](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/tag/habit-change-strategies/) # Video: For Habits, the Strategy of Accountability. ![black framed eyeglasses on book page](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/5ryvgeckz44.jpg) I’m doing a video series in which I discuss the **various strategies that we can use for habit-formation.** [**Habits are the invisible architecture of everyday life**](http://www.staging.gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2013/11/revealed-the-subject-of-my-next-book-the-most-fascinating-subject-ever/), and a significant element of happiness. If we have habits that work for us, we’re much more likely to be happy, healthy, productive, and creative. **My forthcoming book, Better than Before,** describes the multiple strategies we can exploit to change our habits. I identify four strategies that are so essential that I call them the “Pillars of Habits”: [**Monitoring**](http://www.staging.gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2014/05/video-for-habits-try-the-strategy-of-monitoring/), [**Accountability**](http://www.staging.gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2013/11/before-and-after-two-obligers-act-as-accountability-partners-for-each-other/), [**Scheduling,**](http://www.staging.gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2014/06/video-for-habits-try-the-strategy-of-scheduling/) and the strategy I discussed in the last video, the [**Strategy of Foundation**](http://www.staging.gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2014/06/video-for-habits-the-strategy-of-foundation/). Today I’m going to talk about the **Strategy of Accountability**. I can’t emphasize enough: Accountability is helpful to many people, but **if you’re an** [**Obliger** ](http://quiz.staging.gretchenrubin.com)— and there’s a good chance you are, because it’s one of the largest categories — ***you must develop systems of external accountability***. This is the answer for habit-formation! This will work for you! Don’t know what an Obliger is? Look [**here**](http://quiz.staging.gretchenrubin.com). How about you? Do you find that Accountability helps you stick to your good habits? #### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE ![a couple of women riding bikes down a road](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gyafawjmrw8-768x511.jpg) [How to Find the Right Exercise Routine for You](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/articles/want-an-exercise-routine-youll-stick-to-ask-yourself-these-11-questions/) ![Photo through the lens of glasses looking at an eye chart.](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/eyeglassesclarity.jpg?resize=768,514) [The Strategy of Clarity: How to Make Sure Your Habits Match Your Goals](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/articles/video-why-having-clarity-of-values-and-clarity-of-action-helps-us-keep-our-habits/) ![Arrow pointing in direction of a path](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/nick-page-MDeevV3gSAI-unsplash.jpg) [How to Use Determination Day to Get Failed Resolutions Back on Track](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/articles/slowing-down-on-your-resolutions-use-determination-day-to-re-evaluate/) #### DISCOVER MORE # Like what you see? Explore more about this topic. - [Habit-change strategies](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/secondary_tag/habit-change-strategies/) # Interested in happiness, habits, and human nature? From renowned happiness expert and *New York Times* bestselling author Gretchen Rubin, the “Five Things Making Me Happy” newsletter is one of today’s most popular newsletters. You’ll get a weekly round-up of what’s making Gretchen happy, as well as practical tips, research, and resources about how we can make our lives happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. Email Submit Manage Cookie Consent To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. 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