How’s your to-do list looking? Long and out of control? Unfortunately, that’s a common problem for work-at-home types. And for those of us who work at home AND somewhere else, it’s a nightmare. Too much to do, not enough time to do it, and many, many distractions that – let’s face it – are far more interesting than actual work. When there’s no boss peeking over your cubicle wall and no time-clock to punch, it can be nearly impossible to stay on task.
Accountability Partner to the Rescue!
I don’t know which is the bigger buzzword among Internet marketers these days: accountability partner or coach, but whatever you call it, the point is to have someone not only in your corner cheering you on, but who will – much like Burgess Meredith in Rocky – shove you (lovingly!) right back into the ring when all you want to do is curl up with an ice pack on your head.
My friends Angie Newton and Danielle Johnson have one of these super-successful partnerships, so I know they work. In fact, theirs is so successful they’re even writing an eBook about forming a great accountability alliance.
I haven’t had a lot of luck in the accountability partnership arena, though. I’ve run into issues with partners who aren’t as dedicated as I am – or who aren’t dedicated at the same time as I am. I’ve also had partners who were on completely different paths than I, and we just didn’t click. But the biggest problem of all is being friends with an accountability partner.
It’s Hard to Kick a Good Friend in the Ass
Even though sometimes that’s exactly what you need to do. My friend Deb and I try to hold each other accountable, but we’re far too sympathetic of the difficulties the other is facing. My accountability partner should be holding my feet to the fire when I don’t manage to upload that new pack of articles to All Quality PLR; but my friend Deb is more likely to say, “Well, you were busy. It happens.”
Behold, the Spreadsheet of Accountability
I need to kick it into gear, or I'm going to owe Kiva a boatload of money this month!
So Deb and I hit upon the idea (inspired by this awesome post) of tracking our monthly goals on a spreadsheet. Since we’re not good at beating up on each other for failing to get our work done, and since we’re both a little miserly, we decided to spice it up a bit by adding a monetary incentive.
The spreadsheet works like an IOU. We attached a dollar value to each task, and set a target for the number of times we need to complete that task for the month. As we complete each task, the amount owed is reduced by the cost we assigned to it. For example, I want to write 12 posts per month here (for a Monday, Wednesday, Friday posting schedule), and if I achieve that, I owe nothing. For every post I don’t write, I owe $2. There is a similar “fee” structure attached to all my tasks, with the largest dollar amounts belonging to the most important tasks. I can also earn bonuses by guest blogging and recording videos – two things I really want to do more of this year, but which I have little time or motivation to do.
Oh, and my friend Deb is not the beneficiary should I fall short of my goals. Instead, we each named a charity that the money will benefit, so we can feel good (just a little) about our failures. My money will go to Deb’s favorite charity, Kiva.org, and Deb’s money will go to the Humane Society of the United States.
Your Turn: Do you have an accountability partner? What other ways do you keep yourself accountable for your goals? Share your ideas in the comments. I’d love to hear them!
Cindy,
First of all, thanks for the link! I am glad you liked the goal sheet. I really like your ideas on added some “oomphf” to the accountability partnership by tacking on specific financial penalities. It seems like this is a really good way to have some real accountability.
I have been “lukewarm” about the ideas of accountability partnerships for the same reasons that you have said you had a hard time. If someone is too good a friend it is hard for them to really, “blast” you if fall behind, but it is also hard to get a non friend to feel comfortable and find someone who is relatively in sync with your personal goals.
Your additional idea really does a great job of adding some impetus to the equation. I think it will do the trick. If not at least you all are giving to some good charities…
Have a great day, and good luck!
Hi Steve, thanks for coming by!
That spreadsheet of yours is a work of genius. Simple to use, but powerful enough to get the job done. I’m just not terribly motivated by my own arbitrary numbers or deadlines, so I needed the added incentive of monetary damages.
I still love the idea of accountability partners, but I think you have to “interview” a whole lot of candidates before you find just the right one.
Thanks again for reading and taking the time to comment. I’ve been enjoying your blog a lot, so I’m thrilled to have you visit mine. Have a great weekend!
Cindy
I have a few blogging friends that generally keep me on point whenever I’m busy – I may jump on an idea and pass it there way but they’re quick to shoot it down (not because it isn’t a great idea) because I have existing projects to work on.
It’s great to have people like that and you can’t get upset at them because they’re only helping you in the long run.
This reminds me, I need to fill out that report from SSS, I had downloaded it before but now is the perfect time to get things down on paper since the weekend is just kicking in.
Hey Murray,
Lucky you to have a group you can count on to keep you on task! That’s awesome. My experience has always been the opposite. I come up with a great idea and my partners agree! Never a word about those other projects I’m now neglecting. Thanks for pointing out that nuance. I’m going to keep it in mind for future partnerships – it’s not always about getting things done. They have to be the right things.
very helpful advice, my accountability group is family members and sometimes we are good at kicking each other in the behind. but we do find it easier to let each other slide, this sounds like a great thing to try.
Hey Bridget!
I think family might actually be the best accountability group. I know I’m harder on my husband than I am on anyone else. Just ask him.
Come to think of it, he’s a pretty good accountability partner, too.
I love that idea Cindy. My problem is that I always have more items on my to do list each day than I could ever hope to accomplish. Maybe this would force me to be more realistic about my daily goals.
Hi Carol,
I know what you mean about a crowded to-do list. Mine is like that, too! Naomi Dunford and Dave Navarro just did a series of videos about failproofing your business, and the last one is about getting stuff done. They talk about the idea of “What constitutes success today?” and that really hit home for me. Now I structure my to-do lists entirely differently. They’re shorter, and they only contain the things that absolutely have to happen. It takes a lot of the pressure off, and I don’t feel like a failure every day for NOT getting 128 things done. You can see the video here if you’re interested: http://ittybiz.com/failproof-8/
Thanks Carol for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it!
Cindy
I’m not sure if I’ve ever had an ‘accountability partner’ or not Cindy (although my wife might disagree
) but I’ve got a few very dear friends that have no doubt helped me tremendously over the years– lifting me when I was down, smacking me in the face when I was confused, and giving me just the right push where I needed to go in the moment. But like you said, it can be tough to find just the right person, but it is possible, and any type of partner or mentor or coach is, in my opinion, a good thing.
Hi Marcus,
I thought once my husband would be the ideal accountability partner since he’s such a nag in other areas, but it just didn’t work out well. You’re right, though. You don’t always need a formal “partnership” for success. Sometimes it’s just the right person asking the right question at the right time that motivates you into taking action – or staying on task.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, and have a great day!
I wish I had an accountability partner, Cindy. But the only person I’ve met who would be a good match lives 3 states away. My two office mates; Dolly and Zadie are no help. Dolly spends the day sleeping on a blanket in the corner and Zadie chases trucks all day.
But I really like the spreadsheet idea. I am self disciplined enough not to cheat if I lose out by missing deadlines and assignments. I used to be sure I got all my assignments done, but lately things have gotten so crazy-busy that I’m amazed at how short the days have gotten. Maybe this would help me keep my priorities straight.
Thanks for the tip!
Hi Allan,
Even though your “co-workers” are no good at keeping you on task, I’m sure they have other redeeming qualities!
I don’t believe an accountability partner needs to be local, though. Why not get together via Skype to keep each other motivated? Or use a daily email? Something to think about, anyway!
Have a fantastic day!