Feb

6

Get Going and Keep Going… Don’t Let Lack of Accountability Become a Roadblock!

Filed Under Business, Roadblocks 

My business really slows down after the Winter holiday season. A few reasons for this:
1. My products primarily are gift items. The holiday season is the best time for gift items.
2. I put out so much energy from August through December, that in January, I am recharging.
3. The slower sales time gives me time to catch up on business development tasks, paperwork, and product development.

All that said, I’ve been thinking about how to not sit back after the holidays. How to keep the forward motion in high gear. A perfect solution for this is finding an accountability partner. For me this works well, because I don’t want to let others down. I hate to admit when I haven’t finished something or missed a deadline. When I am accountable to someone, I’ll get the task done on time no matter what. Finding an accountability partner helps both partners.

Coach Dyana Valentine shares the following perspective:
handshake

“I am more accountable to others than to myself. Seriously. Yes, I’m a coach, advisor and all-around whip cracker. But I need help keeping my projects going while I help you with yours. SO, about 5 years ago, a few friends started an Accountability Group. We met weekly and shared ideas for, success stories about and roadblocks to our projects and goals. Over the years, I have taught many groups, organizations and pairs how to use the Accountability Process. It has worked tremendously for me, my clients and I trust will for you, too. My intention here is to encourage folks to be accountable to their own projects with others who help us stay honest, on track and in motion. The goal of an accountability partner or group is not only to get feedback, share resources and ideas but mostly to give you an opportunity to report your progress, celebrate accomplishments and set and keep realistic goals for yourself.

Here’s a brief how-to get started with a partner or a group

1. Be choosy about your partners. This may be a no-brainer, so bear with me. You may be friends, but may not be ideal accountability partners. Does the person you are considering show up? Do what they say they will do? Have a critical (constructive) eye? Will they give you honest feedback? Are they a positive person?

2. Communicate early and often. Ever notice how you may start a group or partner with someone, then it fizzles out with no warning? It’s critical with an accountability process that it works for you and all involved. Check in periodically with the group or your partner and ask: how’s this working for you? Are you getting what you need? Do you need to re-evaluate when/where you are checking in? is one person hosting all the time? Is the hour of the meeting still working for everyone?

3. Use a clear process: It can be as simple as a 15-minute phone or quick email check in at the end of a day or on a deadline. Agree on when you’ll check in with your partner or meet with your group. Show up on time and be clear: what did you intend to get done? Did you do it? Do you want feedback or support (be specific about what you want from others)? And clearly state the next step or deadline. The process can change over time and each person may put their own twist on it—don’t get stuck in a process that isn’t serving everyone involved. Get going!”

Do you have an accountability partner already? How do you keep accountable for the work you do, especially if you are working alone. Please share your comments!

All the best!

Monique, founder of Stable Solutions

Comments

2 Responses to “Get Going and Keep Going… Don’t Let Lack of Accountability Become a Roadblock!”

  1. Dyana Valentine on February 7th, 2009 10:08 pm

    thanks, Monique: I was struggling with being accountable to record some videos and post them online. All kinds of reasons for why NOT to do them: technology, lack of editing skills, gripeyness, general fear of how I’d come off in the videos. THEN, I had a great response to asking for an accountability partner on http://www.twitter.com. A relative stranger said, “how can I help?” So, we had a short email exchange and the accountability was ON: 5 minutes a day for one week. I emailed him when I started the video and emailed him when it was posted (with the link). By the end of the week I had 6 videos posted and felt AMAZING!

    Keep up the great work Monique!

    Dyana
    link to videos I shot: http://www.youtube.com/user/DyanaValentine

  2. DIY: Accountability! — Dyana Valentine on February 9th, 2009 1:49 am

    [...] Accountability tips were included in Monique Hodgkinson’s blog, A Stable Solution. Check her out–she is putting some great ideas out there for newbies to small [...]

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