When you’re pushing on the path toward your goals, it can be easy to stumble when you’re doing it alone. No one will know if you stop that run 0.2 miles early, or eat that donut when no one’s in the break room. Even those with the strongest willpower benefit from having an accountability partner for a new goal or habit. Accountability partners are simply there to report to and to help you honor commitments you made to yourself. Because now it’s not just a commitment to yourself, but to this person, too.
The Effectiveness
Research studies display that publicly committing your goals to someone gives you a 65% chance of completing them, at least. However, having a specific accountability partner increases that success rate to 95%. So as much as you feel like you’d rather continue on your journey alone, it’s beneficial to have that accountability partner around.
Why Accountability Partners Work
You respect your accountability partner and won’t want to lie to them. Because of this, if you fall off track, you’ll feel the need to tell them. If you find yourself lying to them too much, this can make you feel defeated. So, you aim to not fall off track and stick to your habits the next time around.
Another benefit is the presence of someone who’s motivated toward the same goal as you. If your friends eat fast food together every night, they likely won’t be cheering you on when you choose to prepare a salad ahead of time. The same goes for any goal you’re trying to achieve. An accountability partner’s motivation is contagious and puts you in the same mindset. Who you surround yourself with has the potential to make or break your goals and habits. Not only does this person hold you accountable, they also remind you of the drive you had to start the journey in the first place.
Who Should I Choose?
There are a few qualities that are important in an accountability partner:
- They want you to succeed. This sounds obvious, but pick someone who you know won’t be jealous when you start making progress, even if it’s at a faster rate than them.
- They are driven and motivated intrinsically. This way, you both give each other a boost but their internal motivation can help inspire you.
- They have the same goal as you, and the goal is specific and timely. Maybe you both want to run a half marathon by the end of the year. Or you just want to start running 4 times a week. Choose someone with whom your specifics match up.
And if you can’t think of anyone in your life that fits the bill, it’s easy to find like-minded people on social media like Instagram (try followers of inspirational pages you love) or Facebook groups. It’s 2020 – your accountability partner can live across the city or across the world.
