The Promise
I will find an accountability partner to help me keep my next promise.
Impact of the Promise
Having an accountability partner may seem ineffective or tedious. However, those grand dreams that everybody has become much more feasible when there is a friend helping along the way. In fact, studies by the American Society of Training and Development “found that people are 65 percent likely to meet a goal after committing to another person. Their chances of success increase to 95 percent when they build in ongoing meetings with their partners to check in on their progress.” Having an accountability partner can almost guarantee success in goals.
On top of that, a study by the American Psychological Association showed that monitoring goal progress increases the chances of goal attainment. The lead author of the study, Benjamin Harkin, PhD, of the University of Sheffield stated, “Monitoring goal progress is a crucial process that comes into play between setting and attaining a goal, ensuring that the goals are translated into action.” Having an accountability partner will not only provide external motivation but a way of tracking goals as well!
Action Items
Do
- Make a list of potential accountability partners
- Schedule time to call/meet with at least one of these potential partners to see if they can commit to helping you by serving in this role
- Schedule time every day to check in via phone, email, text, or in person
- Create a routine
- Keep yourself accountable and not rely completely on partner
Don’t
- Skip a check-in; otherwise, you will subconsciously begin to make excuses for yourself
- Focus only on the positives; if you recognize your mistakes, you’ll be more likely to not repeat them
- Be self-centered – your partnership should be balanced and mutual; just as your partner helps keep you accountable, you help keep them accountable as well
Resources:
- https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/310062%20on
- https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/bul-bul0000025.pdf
Element of Honor
Accountability
Accountability: I must be willing to accept personal responsibility for what I have done and what I have failed to do – both in what is good and what is not. Accountability helps me understand that my decisions have consequences. I help hold others accountable, but before I become too upset with the broken promises of others, I remember that I too have weakness.
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