The Follow Up: 21 Days of Accountability

By Joél L. Joseph Mpa

Changing Your Paradigm and Shifting your Mindset in 21 Days
By Joel L. Joseph, MPA

Most textbooks of this nature go through the theory and inundate the reader with historical perspectives and unrelated information to fill up space. I have learned that KISS (Keep it Simple Sweetie) is something that works better when trying to reach a larger group of people. The Follow-up: 21 Days of Accountability power packs knowledge, practice and application in a manner that is palatable and inspiring to the intended audience.

Overview

Being that this is my 3rd Book (1st: The Sweat off My Back; 2nd: Journey 2 Greatness), I wanted to do something different. I wanted to create a book that addressed the gaps that many of us have and that is with commitment and follow-through. I myself have had to gain an accountability partner or partners that were on the same path with me trying to attain similar goals to keep me on track. This book’s caveat (statement of disclaimer) is that I do NOT try and present a perfect solution. There are no perfect solutions because we are not perfect people. In fact no book can guarantee your success without YOU putting the work or effort in to produce the results that you desire.
Many experts and top consultants can agree that there are no shortcuts to success. In fact, the journey to the place in which the person inside of you becomes the very best version of you, experts say that it takes 21 days to change a behavior or form a new habit. I encourage you to take that as a challenge to look at the next 21 days and thereafter as a time to put in the arduous work that it takes to change your lifestyle. As a producer of change you must know that the process of change takes accountability and the ability to measure your progress. This is how you will adjust, stabilize or reduce those things that are necessary to promote the BEST results. At the end of this book I suggest that you look deeply at what you have accomplished and judge it heavily, don’t be easy on yourself. Don’t let yourself off the hook, take the tough approach to be honest about the change that you need to make and simply do it! Journaling is an important part of any process. So purchase a journal (or the detailed journal for this book, which is available at www.jljoseph.com ) and reflect as much as possible of the journey. Enjoy the results, reflect on the ups and down and celebrate often.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664148048

Joél L. Joseph Mpa

I am Joél L. Joseph, MPA, a Eduprenuer, which means that I teach by day, while pursuing the greatness inside of me at night. I am a husband, proud father of 9 children (a family brought together by birth and love), uncle, cousin, great-uncle, friend and Godfather. I have been an author and speaker since 2008 (producing two titles: The Sweat off My Back (A Collection of Poems, Essays and Inspirational Pieces) and in 2016, A Journey 2 Greatness: 90 Day to a Better You). I have four degrees, including two Masters (Master of Public Administration (Public Sector Management) and Master of Arts in Teaching (Middle Grades Math and Science) and Two Bachelors (Business Management and Marketing)). I’ve been in business since I was 14, working in large and small corporations from McDonald’s to Wal-Mart to Ferron & Aaron (a vendor for the 1996 Olympics). I’ve held positions from Sales Associate to Regional Area Transportation Manager (for FL, GA, AL). Regardless of the position, finding and drawing out that greatness is a process that I have been blessed to be involved with for over 12 years (founding a mentoring group in 2017; the ROCCC (Rising on Character, Courage and Commitment) group which teaches challenged teens and youth to be responsible for both their attitude and altitude.). Many of my students from the alternative and traditional environment have gone on to reach unimaginable heights because I never expected anything from them except the greatness I expected of myself.

Book preview

The Follow up: 21

Days of Accountability

Joél L. Joseph, MPA

Copyright © 2021 by Joél L. Joseph, MPA.

Edited by Elva D. Joseph

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Purchase other great text like this from www.jljoseph.com

Rev. date: 12/22/2020

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Contents

Dedication

Introduction/Foreword

Introduction to All Chapters

Chapter 1

Character

Day 1: Self-Control (Chapter 1: Character)

Work-outs

Budgeting

Character/Spiritual Inventory

Moments of Motivation

Reflection for Day 1: Self-Control

Day 2: Self-Expression (Chapter 1: Character)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 2: Self-Expression

Day 3: Self-Love (Chapter 1: Character)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 3: Self-Love

Day 4: Self-Efficacy (Chapter 1: Character)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 4: Self- Efficacy

Day 5: Integrity (Chapter 1: Character)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 5: Integrity

Day 6: Faith (Chapter 1: Character)

Moments of Motivation

Reflection for Day 6: Faith

Day 7: Hope (Chapter 1: Character)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 7: Hope

Reflection for Week 1 (Days 1-7: Character)

Reflection for Week 1 (Days 1-7) (Continued.)

Chapter 2

Courage

The Bridge: The Connection and Caveat:

Courage Behavioral Inventory

Day 8: The Courage to Say No (Chapter 2: Courage)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 8: The Courage to Say No

Day 9: The Courage to Say Yes (Chapter 2: Courage)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 9: The Courage to Say Yes

Day 10: The Courage to Continue (Chapter 2: Courage)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 10: The Courage to Continue

Day 11: The Courage to Rest (Chapter 2: Courage)

Moments of Motivation

Reflection for Day 11: The Courage to Rest

Day 12: Where to Draw Courage

From (Chapter 2: Courage)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 12: Where to Draw Courage From

Day 13: Where to NOT Draw Courage From (Chapter 2: Courage)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 13: Where NOT to Draw Courage From

Day 14: The Courage to Lead (Chapter 2: Courage)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 14: The Courage to Lead

Reflection for Week 2 (Days 8-14: Courage)

Reflection for Week 2 (Days 8-14) (Continued.)

Chapter 3

Commitment

The Bridge: The Connection and Caveat

Commitment Behavioral Inventory

Day 15: Commitment to Self (Chapter 3: Commitment)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 15: Commitment to Self

Day 16: Commitment to Family (Chapter 3: Commitment)

Moments of Motivation

Reflection for Day 16: Commitment to Family

Day 17: Commitment to Community (Chapter 3: Commitment)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 17: Commitment to Community

Day 18: The Definition of Commitment (Chapter 3: Commitment)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 18: Definition of Commitment

Day 19: When NOT to be Committed (Chapter 3: Commitment)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 19: When NOT to be Committed

Day 20: Why Does Commitment Matter? (Chapter 3: Commitment)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 20: Why Does being Committed Matter?

Day 21: Being a Person of Your Word

(Chapter 3: Commitment)

Moment of Motivation

Reflection for Day 21: Being a Person of Your Word

Reflection for Week 3 (Days 15-21: Commitment)

Reflection for Week 3 (Days 15-21) (Continued.)

Afterthoughts/Epilogue

About the author

Dedication

"This book is dedicated to those fans and supporters who

have journeyed with me since I began this pilgrimage

to greatness in 2006 (speaking, authorship, leadership,

and business); as I continue to find ways to grow,

pursue, and persevere to get to the next level. This also

is, as always, dedicated to my children (T.H.E. Joseph

Legacy), loved ones and family members in their

respective places. Thank you for all that you have done

to love and support me. Special Thanks goes to Elva (my

wife), Trinity (daughter), Joél II (son) and Jacob (son)

Joseph who agreed to be test subjects and give valuable

feedback for days in this great exercise in accountability.

With Love,

-  Joél L. Joseph, MPA

Caveat: I wanted to make this book as simple as possible so the overspills and more detailed information are within the workbook and the journal, found at www.jljoseph.com. It was almost impossible to fit the streamlined information that I was able to put here and keep things flowing.

Introduction/Foreword

Being that this is my 3rd Book (1st: The Sweat off My Back; 2nd: Journey 2 Greatness), I wanted to do something different. I wanted to create a book that addressed the gaps that many of us have and that is with commitment and follow-through. I myself have had to gain an accountability partner or partners that were on the same path with me trying to attain similar goals to keep me on track. This book’s caveat (statement of disclaimer) is that I do NOT try and present a perfect solution. There are no perfect solutions because we are not perfect people. In fact no book can guarantee your success without YOU putting the work or effort in to produce the results that you desire.

Many experts and top consultants can agree that there are no shortcuts to success. In fact, the journey to the place in which the person inside of you becomes the very best version of you takes a lifetime. However, smaller behavioral changes, experts say that it takes 21 days to change or form a new habit. I encourage you to take that as a challenge to look at the next 21 days and thereafter as a time to put in the arduous work that it takes to change your lifestyle. As a producer of change you must know that the process of change takes accountability and the ability to measure your progress. This is how you will adjust, stabilize or reduce those things that are necessary to promote the BEST results. At the end of this book I suggest that you look deeply at what you have accomplished and judge it heavily, don’t be easy on yourself. Don’t let yourself off the hook. And take the tough approach to be honest about the change that you need to make and simply do it! Journaling is an important part of any process. So purchase a journal (or the detailed journal for this book, which is available at www.jljoseph.com) and reflect as much as possible on this journey to accountability. Enjoy the results, reflect on the ups and down and celebrate often.

With More Love,

Joél L. Joseph, MPA

Introduction to All Chapters

Important Statement: When attempting to change health or diet, please consult a physician or a trusted medical adviser who knows your medical history. This book is not meant to replace or supersede regular doctor visits with trained medical experts. You should have a physical exam each year to be aware of anatomical changes in your growing or aging body.

Each of the Chapters of this book contain spiritual, socio-emotional, behavioral and personal advice. The theme of this advice is to inspire change in needed areas of Character (what a person behaves like naturally without much thought or coercion), Courage (having the attitude necessary to face challenging or uncomfortable situations, people or events) and Commitment (the management of promises or covenants made with time, talent or resources). In totality these can share a lot about how people will manifest mindsets or perform in many situations. As the core principles of many of my organizations, I believe that these three values coupled with the paradigm (pattern or model of mindset) of excellence will propel a person to success and greatness.

Instructions on How to Approach Each Chapter

Step 1: Close Read: (At least 3 times). The first time for a general summary; a second time for closer analysis and connection with the purpose of each day’s definition, examples, and scriptural reference; the third time for reflection and how to apply this to your life.

Step 2: Journal: This is a comparison and contrast moment for how to apply the principles of this book to your life (as stated previously in step 1). Ex: Chapter 1: Character: Day 1 - Self Control. Here one should seek to reflect on their use of self-control and how it has either helped or hindered them in situations. Then, look at improving on the next similar situation when confronted with using self-control.

Step 3: Workout: The workout is a physical and mental stretch and push to supply you with energy to complete the tasks in your daily life. Please take each of these steps seriously.

Along this journey, I hope that you are inspired, with these principles of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

7 Principles of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. to Help You

Along By Joél L. Joseph, MPA

Sacrifice and Suffering - without sacrifice you have no skin in the game or risk that you will to endure pain to succeed. You need motivation to reach for something that you have never accomplished.

Upset or Failure - An ultimate teacher of humility and appreciation, without upset there can be no understanding of what success truly means.

Cut-off - Winners and losers are riddled with times of loneliness or cut-off, this is where focus begins to develop in its strongest or most elite format. Separation develops demonstrations of character in the absence of an audience.

Chance - A unique opportunity to demonstrate, execute and fulfill the purpose that you were placed on this Earth to do. The universe aligns here and provides you with time to shift the atmosphere and therefore elevate positional status to 1000.

Evolution - A dynamic change in the characteristics, traits, DNA and cellular function down to the smallest detail adaptable to the environment of the fittest to survive. Evolution is an emancipation of one’s true self to operate in anointing and life purpose.

Steadfast - An absolute refusal to be mediocre or remembered as average or not having ecclesiastical value beyond the surface. This is an unwavering commitment to marrying one’s level of elevation with each increase in vibration and energy towards the ultimate version of self.

Seeking - As a circle is complete at both 360 and 0 degrees, the life cycle of learning is continuous and life long until the transition to a different