How to Find the Perfect Accountability Partner

We all know how to plan goals. There are countless articles on S.M.A.R.T. goals and planning, every way under the sun to get tasks on a calendar. But how do we DO the goals? How do we accomplish them? We have all this information on how to make simple tasks a habit, but what about bigger goals or projects?

Enter the accountability partner. At work or school, you always have a manager or teacher delegating work and helping you (most times) stick to a timeline. So it’s about time we find someone to help us in our personal lives too!

Depending on your needs, an accountability partner can help you with the planning process as well. Creating realistic timelines and tasks can definitely take second eyes. In addition, this person can help keep you honest and humble. “Once someone other than yourself knows what you need to do or what you want to achieve, there is a greater incentive to go out and do it to avoid having to explain why you didn’t to another person,” says Mary Fletcher.

This person can check-in and help you assess where you stand in your goals and also help create hype.

So where do we find this magical person? You may think any friend can be your accountability partner. Unfortunately, not every friend will be constructively critical or helpful in this aspect. Choose someone with who you can align yourself and not only rely on them to build you up and call you out but that you are comfortable doing the same for them. Personally, the person I chose also felt stuck with goals this year, and we both have a similar spirituality and mindset, so we were the perfect match.

Your accountability partner can be a friend, colleague, significant other, etc. However, there are some qualities you may want to look into to find the best match:

1. Honesty.

This is a two-way street! You want someone who not only will be honest with you but who you can be honest with. You may have to be a little “mean” at times, expressing if a goal is unrealistic or help a person figure out why they are staying on task, and these can be difficult conversations. SO make sure this isn’t someone who you sugarcoat or who sprinkles it back at you.

1. Commitment.

This person isn’t only helping you with your goals, in most cases, you are also helping them. You have to commit to yourself and to them. You can do this by scheduling regular times to meet and to check in with each other. If you aren’t invested in the person, it’s time to call it quits. That’s not fair to you or the other person.

1. Comfortability.

Goals can be personal, and you’ll have to get vulnerable with your accountability partner. Make sure this is someone you are comfortable reaching out to and being candid with. Also, don’t be embarrassed about your goals nor compare yourself to them. If your accountability partner talks down to you or if you find yourself jealous, call it quits! Or have a reality check with yourself. You are supposed to be building each other up. If you are jealous of their progress, maybe ask for time management tips.

Speaking of your goals and having someone cheer you along the way is the dream. Having someone say, “Hey man, I really don’t think it’s a smart idea to try to write a trilogy in a week” is sometimes the reality check we need! Get those goals accomplished with meetings and check-ins. Even throw in gold stars if you need them.

What would you look for in an accountability partner? Find me on social and let me know!