As you create your strategic plan and plan out your goals, consider one of the most effective strategies to achieve your goals: having accountability partners.
As a solopreneur, it’s thrilling to call all of the shots and follow your own path. But it can also be lonely working by yourself.
Benefits of Having Accountability Partners
When you make a promise or a commitment to someone else, you’re more likely to keep it, especially if it feels hard or challenging.
You’ll have someone else to bounce ideas off of. Sometimes I’ll know I’m on the verge of something great, I just need to talk out the idea and get feedback from others.
You can also benefit from their experience and knowledge. I recently helped my colleagues in implementing their Facebook ad campaigns.
Accountability Buddy or Group?
Should you work with just one accountability partner or should you be part of a group?
You can choose a single accountability partner such as a colleague or a team member. What I like about having a single accountability buddy is the speed of communication and action. It’s wonderful having someone you can have a quick, weekly call with.
One challenge of having just one accountability partner can include the difficulty of finding someone who wants the same kind of accountability you do. If you work best with weekly calls, and the other person is only available once a month, it may not be in your best interest to choose this person.
Another challenge is if this person changes their business, moves, has a child,.. basically experiences any big life change, they may have to quit and you’ll have to start over again with finding someone new and building that relationship.
Accountability Groups
One of the best ways to find great accountability partners is in joining a community where its members all have a common goal.
For example, let’s say your big goal is get more coaching or consulting clients.
If you join LIFT, our online community for coaches, consultants, and solopreneurs, where we are focused on growing our businesses around our core values, purpose, and our lives, you will gain multiple accountability partners, plus two business coaches, who will:
- Cheer you on
- Help you get past blocks
- Give you feedback
- Share what’s worked for them
- Help make connections for you
- Help you promote your business
Best Practices for Accountability
When you do form an accountability partnership or join a group, consider these guidelines to getting the most out of it to help you achieve your goals.
- Be clear on what’s expected of you and that you can honor your commitments.
- Decide on how you will communicate with each other in between meetings.
- Learn how to give compassionate feedback, instead of just constructive feedback.
- Decide if there’s a particular focus for your partnership or group.
- If you want to expand your group, determine the criteria for adding another person.
- Have a plan ahead of time on how to handle disagreements and conflict.
- Determine the length of the partnership or group and when to evaluate if it’s still beneficial for you.
Accountability & Success
Similar to a gym membership, you get out of it what you put in. I would more likely show up for a class if I told a friend I would meet here there (back in the days before).
Having a partner, or several partners, in your business who is committed to your success can be just want a solopreneur needs to make progress past your comfort zone and into the growth zone.
Invitation to Apply for LIFT
If this speaks to you and you:
- are a coach, consultant, or solopreneur
- want to grow your business around your core values and your life
- are a life-long learner
- are inspired by being with other purpose-driven entrepreneurs
I invite you to apply for LIFT! Click here for more information >>
