Accountability Keys for Success

I believe one of the hardest things to learn and to teach is how to finish a project once it is started.  As adults, it is easy to assume only young people need help in this area.  When we are younger, there is usually someone around to “remind” us what homework we didn’t finish or chores that are undone.  That isn’t always the case when we get out on our own.  With this in mind, we may actually seek out extra accountability from a peer even though there was a time when we dreaded our parents’ reminders.

Accountability is not only being responsible but knowing before-hand that you will have to answer for what you have done or not done.  Accountability is powerful and it works!  One of the most exciting relationships you can have is with someone who is able to keep you accountable on tasks you really want to accomplish but may seem impossible at first.  Still, that relationship has to have some very important foundations in place in order for it to be successful.

• TRUST & RESPECT: You need to trust and respect your accountability partner and they need to trust and respect you
  IF NOT: You won’t listen or apply the words you hear from each other because you have already decided in your mind that they are not of value to you

• SIMILAR GOALS: Both you and your accountability partner need to have somewhat similar goals that you consider important
  IF NOT: It will be difficult to support each other in effective ways because you are not equipped to make suggestions that help achieve the goals

• SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: Regular scheduled communication with your accountability partner needs to be required with goals listed for each session
  IF NOT: There will be no measurable format to give an account for what you have done or not done

These may seem easy to achieve but I have found that is not the case.  When they are all in place, the results are golden!