How Creating An Accountability Partnership Can Help You Stay Motivated
If you've ever found yourself frustrated as a result of not achieving your personal goals, you're not alone. Many people create goals to accomplish everything from weight loss to career promotions. However, sticking to your game plan can be harder than you think, especially when juggling other responsibilities.
As the old saying goes, we can sometimes be our own worst enemies, even when it comes to checking off boxes on a self-created list. If you struggle with holding yourself accountable when you fall short, one option you may want to consider is finding an accountability partner. If you're unfamiliar with the concept, an accountability partner is exactly what it sounds like — a person who can help you stay focused and motivated as you look to achieve set goals.
Even if you've never had trouble sticking to your goals, an accountability partner can be beneficial. This particular person can observe your journey and identify areas where you can work more efficiently to finish tasks. Additionally, they can jump in whenever you get stuck along the way and help you find a new path to overcome any challenges that pop up.
You might assume that a family member or close friend is the perfect person for this role, but there are a few factors to consider. Here is how creating an effective, healthy accountability partnership can help you stay motivated.
Establishing an accountability partnership that works
Perhaps the most critical part of establishing an accountability partnership that works for you is the selection of your partner. While you might immediately be inclined to ask a close friend or family member, it's not always the best idea. Your accountability partner should be someone who is willing to call you out when you lag behind or procrastinate on your goals. Additionally, this person should be willing to identify any flaws they spot with honesty and kindness.
The best accountability partner is one who will not only tell you the truth but also do so because they have your best interests in mind. The person you select should have the time to dedicate to your accountability partnership as well. For example, you'll want to choose someone who will have opportunities to check in with you on your journey, as opposed to a person who already has a lot on their plate. While you may come across many people who are willing to agree to an accountability partnership with you, you might find that only a select few have the time to dedicate to one.
Once you've established a partnership, you'll immediately begin to reap the benefits of newfound motivation. Knowing that you're working toward fulfilling another person's expectations in addition to your own can be a major boost. Furthermore, it can be just what you need to achieve your most challenging goals.
Avoiding common accountability partnership pitfalls
If you're new to the concept of an accountability partnership but you want to establish one, it's worth familiarizing yourself with some of the common pitfalls. You might love the idea of having a cheerleader on the sidelines for you during your toughest moments. However, an accountability partnership can quickly go awry for a wide range of reasons.
For example, you may not find your partner to be as motivating or helpful as you thought if you have a hard time relating to them. One way to avoid this is to ensure that the line of communication remains open between the two of you throughout your partnership.
Another way your partnership can end up off track is if judgment or a lack of empathy taint the relationship. As you work toward your goals, there are bound to be setbacks along the way — in short, life happens, and unpredictability can lead to missed deadlines. That being said, your partner should be empathetic in these instances. Furthermore, they shouldn't be judgmental in the event that you experience a setback.
All in all, an accountability partner can help you stay motivated and achieve your goals. However, it's essential to take the time to establish the foundation of this type of partnership in order for you to leverage all of its benefits.