Accountability Partners and You
It’s August!!! Summer’s almost over and school is about to begin. Like most moms, I have been very busy preparing for another great school year and extra-curricular activities with my children. Shopping for supplies, attending multiple open houses and orientations has had me going in different directions for days now. I did however have a chance to take a mid-week mental break by visiting a local indoor church playground. I initially went there for a play date with my four year old, but later met and began conversing with other #MOMprenuers like myself.
During the course of getting to know each other, we discovered we had a lot in common. We were all married with children, had businesses, thriving careers, and could use a girls day or night out, lol!!! It was so refreshing, I left inspired. But it is what happened afterwards that I would like to share with you all.
Later that day we initiated a group text so that we could stay connected. Of course we exchanged social media info, emails and all that good stuff. As we were messaging back and forth, one woman replied, “We are new ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS.” That there ladies and gentlemen is what inspired me to blog about ACCOUNTABILITY this week! Thank you Natasha C.
Let me say this. The problem is most people have a bunch of friends but not enough accountability partners. (Uh oh, that’s a revelation for somebody) Let’s just be completely honest for a minute. If we had an accountability partner to hold us accountable for the things we say and do, attaining our goals would be a breeze. Why? Because your partner will make sure you are working towards your goal every day. It is their job to stay on top of you and HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE!
I am blessed to have a network of accountability partners. We share ideas, meet deadlines, proofread each other’s work, and inspire each other. We all look up to each other because we understand we all bring something different to the table. We admire each other’s strength and help one another with our weaknesses. We may not always see eye to eye, but the beauty of our partnership is that we hold each other accountable!
How do I establish an accountability partnership Danielle? I’m glad you asked.
- As I have mentioned before, foster new relationships with DOers and partners you can trust.
- Strategize your goals. (short and long term)
- Discuss your goals with your partner. (help your partner understand your vision)
- Brainstorm new ideas with each other.
- Establish and meet deadlines together.
- Check in with each other regularly. (person to person, conference call, or text)
- Listen and offer feedback to your partner.
- Constructively criticize their ideas. Remember, partners don’t always agree.
- Pray with each other.
- Hold each other ACCOUNTABLE!
These are ten simple steps to an effective accountability partnership I have come up with. Remember that if you want to go fast, go alone. If you wish to go far, we must go together. We cannot reach our destination as #goaldiggers if we do not know where we are going. Sometimes all it takes is a little added accountability pressure from a friend, relative, or spouse in order for us to get the ball rolling.
Stay blessed,
Danielle Tuwano
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