Time: < 30 Minutes
STEP 1: Start talking to friends, family, mentors, etc. to find someone who is interested in being your accountability partner. Someone you see throughout the week is an ideal choice, as this increases the opportunity for you both to express how you’re managing challenges or enjoying the benefits of working toward your goals.
STEP 2: Discuss logistics with your accountability partner to determine when you’ll meet, how often, time of meeting, start/end date of accountability. Tell them what you'd like to do in the next week and the timeframe you'd like to do it in and then ask them to hold you accountable. Consider also having "rewards" and "consequences" for yourself if you do/don't reach your intended goals. This could be having a date night at the end of the week to celebrate or purchasing something you have both been wanting—consider the magnitude of your rewards and/or consequences as you will be adhering to them every week. Inviting that person to set and express their own goals with you in return will increase both of your investments in helping one another reach your goals.
STEP 3: Before your 1st meeting write down the goals you’d like to achieve by the date of your 1st meeting. Make them challenging, but realistic. Start small so you don’t get frustrated early on. Every forward step is progress. Consider using the SMART Goal outline… Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely.
STEP 4: Put a reminder on your phone to do what is necessary to reach your goal(s) up until the 1st session. If you miss a day, try to double up the next day if possible so you won’t be behind. Consider the magnitude and realistic aspects of goal-setting —if you fall behind during the week it is important that you don’t feel overwhelmed or buried with the intensity of your goal…be on your own team, start small and offer yourself some grace when necessary.
STEP 5: Meet with your accountability partner at the agreed upon time. Discuss the goal(s) that you set and what was achieved. Discuss what worked for you and, if necessary, what obstacles got in the way of you achieving your goals. Brainstorm how to overcome those obstacles. Determine your goal(s) for the following timeframe until the next session. End the meeting in prayer or some form of intention-setting thought/meditation to support each other in reaching your goals and in thankfulness for your accountability partner. Repeat steps 2-5 until you decide to end or adjust your accountability sessions.
