Action Steps – 360 Degrees of ProtectionAnyone who is unfortunate enough to own a PC most likely has heard the term “360 protection.”  Yes, PC users are only all too familiar with the vast threats posed to them and their computers by viruses, adware, malware, spyware, tupperware, and everything else out there waiting to decimate your hard drive.  Some where along the line (I think it was in the late 90’s) running virus protection alone stopped being enough.  Yes, viruses are bad but are you protected against {insert word here}ware?  Now we need “total” protection or “360” protection if we want any shot at a semi-problem free cyber existence.  And while the idea of total protection may seem like a necessary evil (and possibly a scam) to many PC users it is something that is extremely applicable to the concept of personal accountability.

You see, many men think that as long as they have one guy to check in with on a weekly or monthly basis they are being accountable.  That, in fact, even though they may slip up occasionally (or even regularly) online by looking at pornography or popping into a steamy chat session they can claim a life of accountability because of their weekly check-ins accompanied by generic watered down confessions.  The thing is, face-to-face accountability is awesome and very much needed but it may not be enough on its own.  You should have other measures in place like accountability software.  Here are three reasons why.

First, Accountability software is there all the time.  When it comes to the real world no one can be there with you all the time.  That’s not realistic and quite honestly, it would be a little creepy. However, in your online world you can have a silent accountability partner sitting with you every time you click the mouse.  It’s there whenever you are.   It’s ALWAYS on and therefore it’s ALWAYS working and ALWAYS keeping you accountable for your online activities.

Your accountability partners may be sleeping when you pop on over to that little porn site you visit once in a while, but eventually they will get a report about that incident and then you will have to have that authentic and open conversation you weren’t looking forward to.  Accountability software says, “I’m not afraid to let people see where I spend my time online.”  It’s not only a good trigger for needed conversations but it’s also a good deterrent for bad decisions because it’s keeping an eye on you without any effort on your part.  Accountability (especially online) is a round the clock effort so you need something that can keep pace with you.  Accountability software is something that can fill that need nicely.

Second, accountability software gets into all the details.  While sometimes we can become masters of understatement, accountability software uncovers every little questionable keystroke.  It gives your accountability partners the times, URL’s, and trigger words for every online move you’ve made that could land you in the danger zone.  Accountability software doesn’t let you get away with just saying you’ve “been struggling” while offering a weak shoulder shrug with an uncomfortable grimace.  No, it calls you out with no room for deflection.  Unfortunately some people just don’t know how to push their partner for the “details;” accountability software doesn’t care about comfort zones or personal space … it just does what it is designed to do and that’s keep you on point.

Finally, accountability software specializes in the area where men generally fall the most and that’s online.  What good is it dissecting your thought life with those closest to you if you aren’t addressing the areas of your greatest compromise?  Again, it’s like “360 protection” … addressing viruses won’t do anything for your spyware, adware, and junkware problems.  You need to stay accountable and proactive on all fronts, especially those where you find the biggest challenges.

These are just three good reasons to consider accountability software.   In reality there are many more.  For men who are deep in the struggle I would even recommend upping the ante by adding filtering capabilities.  And for those of you doubters who say, “But I can just get around it so what good is it” I would tell you that this is about “accountability” not “pretendability.”  If you want to truly be accountable you’ll use the tools available.  However, if you are the type who constantly is working angles to get around accountability then ask your self this … do you really want to be accountable?

Note: X3watch is FREE accountabiity software. Download it today and get accountable now.