Walk with Me: Accountability Partnering

The reading on my bathroom scale today actually synced with that of my dear friend! We checked in with each other again this morning: I texted her my new weight, then I texted that I’d completed 25 minutes of rigorous dance. I even sent a picture of my egg white/protein shake pancakes with bananas! And so, it goes—we are accountability partners on a mission to support each other through a lifestyle change.

If you’ve ever attended one of my group coaching sessions, you know that I’m big on accountability. It’s so easy to say we’re going to do something, but moving into action is a critical step after our initial decision. I always ask session participants to partner up and follow-up…two to three weeks or a month after the session. Why? Because you have someone to keep you accountable and on track. When we stay accountable, we have a higher chance of developing a regular practice towards achieving our goal.

Get yourself an accountability partner:

• Set a specific goal that is realistic, and determine the date by which you wish to achieve it
• Choose someone you trust who may be on the same track or have a similar goal
• Create a plan for checking in
• Check in regularly as you hit even the smallest of milestones
• Be positive with and for each other—avoid nagging or chastising—and listen to each other
• Keep it up for as long as you need to
• Be grateful for your small and large successes and to your accountability partner

I've done accountability partnering with my husband, with friends, and with colleagues for my various life and professional goals. As we connect with another person about something essential and meaningful, we learn that we are not alone in our journeys. We feel more motivated. Our path becomes easier. In the wise words of Ram Dass, "We're all just walking each other home."

What goal do you most want to achieve? Who will walk you home?