3 Steps To Work With An Accountability Partner
One of the reasons I’m a fantastic coach to help you beat procrastination and becoming more productive is because I’ve been there. Done that. Wrote the blog post!
Procrastination sounds like: “I’ll do it tomorrow when I’m fresh.” or “I don’t know how to do this so until I know for certain, I won’t start.” or (my favourite) “I’ll just do a little research on it.”
I needed to get a Lead Magnet done. I admit I was putting it off. And I was tired of my own bullshit. One of the things I’ve found is that from doing this a long time, I recognize my own bullshit quicker. I have much more awareness of when my brain is playing tricks on me, convincing me that it’s dangerous to risk something. Enough already. I have to get this done.
I was talking to my assistant, Leeann about the Lead Magnet. I said: “Listen. Do me a favour. I want to get the rough draft done this afternoon, but I need someone to be accountable to. Can I send you the rough draft at 4:00? I don’t need you to read it or even respond. I just need to know you’re looking for it.”
Leeann said exactly what I needed to hear: “Sure, I’ll look for it in my Inbox at 4:00.”
That was enough to have me working all afternoon.
The added bonus was that my perfectionist brain couldn’t jump in (although it tried) to say: “Hey. Why not take another couple days on this and really make it good? You could do a better job than this.”
At 4:00 I sent it off. And had that feeling we’ve all experienced before: “Why didn’t I get this done sooner? Why did I have this hanging over my head for so long?”
It’s usually some kind of fear mixed with self doubt and confusion. And so we have to have a number of tricks up our sleeves to help us push through the tasks that have us paralysed.
If you have a friend or co-worker who’d agree to be your accountability buddy, I recommend giving it a go.
Just make sure:
You have a specific task you want to complete. (Not a vague big goal you’re working on) “I need to produce a three page pitch.”
Have an exact time frame. “It will be done Today by 5:30.”
Agree on what you’re asking your accountability buddy. “I will send it to you on Google Drive. You don’t have to read it. Just hit reply with a smiley face.”
It’s a great tool to use when you’re really stuck on something. And you can offer to reciprocate. And you will both know that amazing feeling of accomplishment and momentum when the task you’ve been dreading is TA DA! Done!
Don’t forget to celebrate!
