Accountability Partner(s)

Have you sometimes set goals for yourself but for some weird or even valid reason, you become unmotivated to work towards those goals?

Or maybe you even start the process but along the line you realize you cannot muster the physical or mental strength to continue and eventually finish?

This is where an Accountability Partner comes in, someone that would help in motivating you to finish what you started.

Generally, Accountability Partners are people who help you keep to your commitments. They are individuals who are willing and always ready to hold you accountable. These people are there to remind you about what you want to achieve so you don’t forget. It’s an extra push, as you might not want to go through the stress of explaining yourself to them. You tell yourself that it’s easier to go through the task than come up with flimsy excuses on why you didn’t do it. This means there’s a higher chance of people reaching their goals when they have accountability partners. They are a good source of motivation. Now you might be thinking isn’t an accountability partner just another name for a mentor? Not necessarily.

While accountability partners can come in form of mentorships, they are different, as an accountability partner doesn’t have to be an expert on the path you’ve chosen. You can all be on the same level unlike mentors who have to be experts.

Everyone needs an accountability partner(s)

In business, this partner can identify issues or weaknesses and make sure you work on them. Linda Galindo, author of The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success says, “Working with a partner prevents the ready-fire-aim approach that a lot of entrepreneurs use.” She believed that finding the right partner is the key to successful businesses.

However, they are not just for business owners, you can work with an accountability partner in your:

o Fitness journey

o Corporate career

o Learning new skills

o Personal finance

o Parenting

o Writing

o And even learning new habits and unlearning bad ones

Knowing that you have to answer to someone who is invested in your growth can keep you in check, even in difficult times.

Accountability partners come in different ways. They could be friends, lovers, business partners, mentors, coaches or accountability groups. These examples are relative as it depends on what you think is best for you.

Coaches will provide consistent accountability as they usually track your progress on a specific goal. Groups are usually individuals in the same industry with a common goal; they appoint a leader who initiates calls and meetings and provides an environment where members can guide each other in achieving their goals. Some people, because of their reserved nature and belief in their inability to function well in groups, prefer friends and close associates. True friendships are one of the best things in life and the criticisms from friends are more valuable as they come from people who love you despite your flaws, people who want the best for you even when you’re not feeling it.

Steps to ensuring a successful accountability partnership

1. Know what you need

It is extremely important for you to know what you want out of that partnership or relationship. Set specific outcomes. This will help in determining the right kind of accountability partner for you. While being qualified and having some experience is preferable, it is not absolutely necessary. Your accountability partner can be someone that is embarking on the same journey as you or interested in doing same. They should also be committed, have similar values and be willing to make time for you.

2. Be honest and ask questions

This will help you avoid silly mistakes.

3. Measure your progress

Establish ways to track your progress. You can do this by setting milestones, daily check-ins or using a worksheet. Depending on the kind of structure you want.

4. Prioritize your goals and the things you need to do to achieve them.

While having goals are fine, it is important to execute them. Remember that your goals are not achievements until they are executed or completed. So prioritize those activities that should be done in order to achieve your goals.

This partnership is special because it goes both ways. You and your partner can work on improving yourselves through support and honest feedback.

Finally, always remember that in accountability groups or partnerships, there is no room for judgement or lack of empathy.

So hey, why don’t you get an accountability partner today?