Why You Need An Accountability Partner

If another week’s gone past and you still didn’t perform the simple yet important task you assigned yourself, it begs the question:

What’s your excuse? 

Part of the problem may be that you’re only reporting to yourself.

When there’s little to no consequence for not doing something, the chances are greater we’ll let ourselves off the hook.

Certain factors may be at play, such as procrastination, poor time management and the like.

However, I propose that the major culprit in this instance is lack of accountability.

Think about your goals and ambitions. If you know what you need to do – but you’re not doing it – then holding yourself responsible isn’t enough.

You need an Accountability Partner.

In a workplace environment, or in school, there’s a structure that makes it clear what needs to be accomplished and by when. If a report isn’t filed on time or a paper not submitted when due, the repercussions and knock-on effects are more tangible.

An Accountability Partner (AP) will help create the same type of structure by imposing a deadline to complete those important tasks you assign yourself.

Here’s what to do:

Find A Partner. This part is important and should be considered carefully. Your AP could be anyone you feel suitable, e.g. friend, family member, significant other, colleague, business associate, etc. What’s important is that the person be a relevant match for your activity and inspire you.

A family member who prefers the stability of employed work may not share the same enthusiasm for your entrepreneurial endeavour. Whereas partnering with a fellow entrepreneur would likely spark greater motivation and encouragement since you’re both on a similar path.

Choose someone you trust who will take the role seriously and be a positive, encouraging champion of your efforts. Remember, you’ll be supporting their efforts and holding them accountable, too.

The Brief. Schedule an initial meeting to lay the foundation for your partnership. Include these four elements:

• Share your goals and articulate what you’re aiming to achieve.

• Establish each others’ potential obstacles, i.e. what barriers tend to halt each person’s progress. This way you can both ensure your assignments are targeted to address the heart of the issue. For example, one of your challenges may be that you’re not making important phone calls because you shy away from picking up the phone. Your partner may be great at starting projects but struggles with completing them. What’s stopping you is what you need to work on. Now’s the time to be honest with someone else about your barriers and make the commitment to stop letting yourself get away with inaction.

• Determine a recurring time for your meetings, preferably once a week for thirty minutes. Thirty minutes keeps the meeting focused and contained. If possible, commit to the same time each week for consistency. If either party is unable to make the meeting, have a ‘Plan B’ in place: conduct the meeting by FaceTime / Skype, phone, text or email, or reschedule ASAP then resume as usual. Weekly meetings work well because the timeframe is ample enough to complete the assignment, yet tight enough to keep you moving. Plus the frequency will create the needed momentum to give you traction.

• Decide your first tasks. Keep it to a single action that can be completed before reconvening the following week. I suggest both parties keep a notebook or journal to keep track of assignments and log progress.

Do it.  Defy the question ‘what’s your excuse’. Get out there and get it done. If possible, action your task immediately following your meeting when you’re fired up and excited about it. Accomplishing even one small thing you’ve been dodging a long time is wonderfully liberating.

As the weeks go by you’ll gain confidence as you gain momentum. Sharing the good news that you achieved your assignment is motivating and empowering. On the flip side, it won’t feel nice if you have to explain to your AP – and yourself – why you have an ‘incomplete’.

It won’t always be easy, but bear in mind you are shifting a pattern and that takes conscious effort. If you find yourself dragging your feet, put the task into the context of the day: there is a finite start and finish. It may be daunting or dreaded, but it won’t last forever. The sooner you start, the sooner it will be done and off your mind. And you can look forward to reporting your dragon-slaying success.

Meeting Time. That week went fast, didn’t it? As you take turns sharing your results over the past week, also discuss your learnings. These are equally as important. You may find you had preconceived notions about doing something that were completely unfounded. Dispelling such myths will make it easier to tackle other similar tasks.

So what happens if either AP doesn’t complete their assignment? Surely the pang of disappointment will be plenty punishment, but no one’s off the hook. Pose the question: What’s your excuse? There’s no need for rudeness or condemning behaviour here, but it is important to make this a constructive conversation and get to the heart of what didn’t go to plan.

Talk through what happened, what obstacles got in the way and how they might have been overcome. Reiterate the importance of the task and why it was selected in the first place then re-assign the task for the following week, plus new assignments.

Celebrate Successes. The smallest steps towards changing old habits makes for huge progress. Keeping a log to track how far you’ve come will help remind you of the real leaps you’ve made not just in achievement and productivity, but in yourself. Mark significant milestones, but also toast to the small yet mighty successes along the way. Don’t forget to celebrate your Accountability Partner – yes, you’ve done the work, but not without their challenge and support.

Anyone can be ‘busy’ all day, but if you want to shift the real stuff, grab an AP and get going.

No more excuses, get out there and make things happen.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering if I have an AP? You bet I do. We meet every Tuesday evening at close of play and I marvel every week at what I wasn’t doing before!