Accountability Partners
MENTORS , MASTERMINDS AND ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS : YOUR SECRET SAUCE SHARON VORNHOLT
Accountability Partners
I have had an accountability partner for about 18 months now , and it has been one of the best things I have ever done , both personally and also for my business . So how do you find one ? The same way you find a mentor ; you just ask someone . You can also put this question out there to people you know ; “ Do you know someone that would be a great accountability partner for me ”?
This person is a little different than a mentor and they will have a different role . Your accountability partner should be in the same or a similar business so that they will understand your challenges . However , they should not be identical to you in your skill set , or even necessarily employ the same identical business strategy . You should each have something a little different to bring to the table . My accountability partner and I meet every Tuesday the first thing in the morning for about 45 minutes to an hour by phone . We commonly exchange a couple of emails each week and may even have another quick phone call ( or two ) during this same time period . Here is one distinction ; any additional calls will generally come after getting a text that says , “ Do you have a few minutes to talk ”? The answer will typically either be “ yes or how about this afternoon after this time ?”
Once again , you have to respect the other person ’ s time . Your accountability partner should be there to help you solve problems , to bounce ideas off of , and most of all to keep you motivated and on track . Think of someone who is there to “ hold your feet to the fire ”. My accountability partner and I are great friends now , but we also have the ability ( and duty ) to hold the other person accountable for what they say they are going to do . It ’ s just that simple . If you are looking for someone to help you hold onto your excuses , that is not what this relationship is about . It is for that reason that I don ’ t think close friends and relatives are good choices for accountability partners .