Written by: Mari Carmen Pizarro, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Productivity is often misunderstood. It’s usually reduced to to-do lists, timers, schedules, and hours in the day. And while part of productivity is about measuring our results, this kind of incessant marking of time can drain your energy and make you less excited about meeting your most important goals.
What if productivity didn’t have to be a solo act? What if you had an accountability buddy – someone to help hold you up when those to-do lists started weighing you down?
What is an accountability buddy?
An accountability buddy is anyone who is serious about supporting you in achieving your goals, and who is willing to help your productivity initiatives stay on track. This person can be a friend, a co-worker, or even a family member. Whoever it is, it must be someone who is driven and serious about offering feedback and support. It is someone motivated by improving their own results and celebrating yours. Yes, accountability buddies usually work both ways; your buddy supports you, and you help them.
There are a number of reputable sources that refer to the study done by the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) to talk about the impact of working with an accountability buddy. This research states that your chances of reaching your goals increase by anywhere from 65 to 85 percent when you intentionally invite someone to keep you accountable. In other words, you are at least 65% more likely to achieve your goal when you participate meaningfully in accountability. The research is clear: Accountability works.
But how can you make it work for you?
Finding your Accountability Buddy
When searching for your future accountability buddy, there are several key questions and strategic steps you must consider and respond to first. Answering these questions ahead of time is a mini exercise that will help you gain clarity and set you and your accountability buddy off to a strong start. These simple steps are designed to be put into action today so that you can begin to build the kind of effective relationship with your accountability buddy that will lead you to the progress you’ve been waiting for.
Accountability Buddy Support System:
In planning for how you’ll work with your buddy, ask yourself the following questions:
What is my intention here? Be super clear about what you want and why you want it.
What exactly do I need from an accountability buddy? What exactly do they need from me (if doing dual accountability)? Is there complete alignment?
How often should we meet?
What is the result I am working towards? Be specific about what you expect to accomplish and by when.
What smaller milestones can I identify that will let me know (and my buddy) I am on the right track?
Keep in mind that at times you might have to look for a buddy in unconventional places such as a church, a volunteer group, or a class you are taking. Choosing someone outside of work can be a fun way to buddy up as long as you can create an effective cadence for your checkups. Remember, your meeting with an accountability buddy should not be treated as a casual meeting; it’s a way to level up your productivity, and it only works if both you and your buddy make your meetings a priority.
When choosing your buddy, be sure to invite someone that you know has the courage and confidence to give you raw, unfiltered feedback. This will require trust and openness. Attend your meetings with a curious mindset so that you can use the feedback you receive to grow. Lay down your defenses and get curious instead. Some of the most challenging feedback you will receive may also be the perspective you need to make breakthrough strides toward your goal.
Be sure to spend time answering these questions, and revisit these strategies from time to time. This mini-exercise will help you clarify what you need (or do not need) so that if you choose to move forward with your buddy, your time investment will yield the kind of results you’ve been looking for.
Mari Carmen Pizarro, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Mari Carmen Pizarro is the Founder of Whole Leadership Systems, and Chief Human Resources Officer at Avet Pharmaceuticals, Inc. She is also the creator of The International Women’s Leadership Academy. With over 30 years of experience in leadership and human performance, Mari Carmen is an expert at integrating emotional intelligence with influence and leadership. Mari Carmen is a seasoned Executive Coach, High Performance instructor, Keynote speaker and TEDx presenter.
