Most entrepreneurs have gotten their start in business, at least in part, because they want to be their own boss. But, living on entrepreneur island can get a little lonely and, if we’re being honest, a tad bit lazy.
After all, it’s easy to snooze on your goals when no one’s watching!
Accountability partners can fill in the gap between boss and colleague — keeping you on track with your goals and giving you a checkpoint to look forward to regularly. You might even think of accountability partners as your long-distance ‘body doubles’ working alongside you. There’s magic in these connections, even when you’re not in the same physical space.
The three accountability partners I’ve outlined here are the ones that have contributed to my and my clients’ success over the years. You don’t necessarily have to have all three at all times in your business, but it sure couldn’t hurt!
#1 The Peer Accountability Partner
Since 2019, I’ve been meeting weekly with an amazing accountability partner that I met through a coaching program. And, in internet years, that’s an eternity. She and I have seen each other through the challenges of the pandemic, personal ups and downs, and tons of business milestones.
What has made our partnership such a success is our mutual commitment, clarity on the container of our accountability partnership, and similar work styles (i.e., we’re both full-time entrepreneurs who love to keep in touch digitally).
You can find your accountability partner in a Facebook group, a paid program where you’re both students or at an in-person networking event. Before you begin your hunt, get clear on exactly what you want in your partnership — this will get you started on the right foot!
Things your peer accountability partner can support you with:
- Tracking your big-picture goals
- Celebrating progress on your way to achieving your big-picture goals
- Staying focused on making data-driven decisions
- Keeping your business values front and center
- Remembering to take time off from your business
- Reviewing your year
#2 The Personal Accountability Partner
Entrepreneurship can take a toll on your personal life if you don’t give it the same love, care, and attention you give your work. This is why personal accountability partners can be invaluable to your business and you as a whole fantastic human.
You may have that friend who is excellent at checking in on you and who you find yourself naturally drawn to check in on, too. Great! However, as with the peer accountability partner, having a routine, planned check-in is best. So, if you have that friend, consider up-leveling your friendship and making your accountability official.
Things your personal accountability partner can support you with:
- Getting creative and consistent with your self-care
- Intentionally nourishing family and friendship connections
- Making time for hobbies you love even when work is busy
- Fully enjoying (and going absolutely work-free) on holidays and weekends
- Celebrating personal accomplishments and adulting milestones
#3 The Professional (aka Paid!) Accountability Partner
A professional accountability partner can come in many forms. The key here is that this particular person is paid. As you might imagine, a professional accountability partner could be a coach, mentor, high-level executive assistant, or — you guessed it — an Online Business Manager. All of these experts offer different types of support that can keep you accountable to your business mission, vision, and values.
The most hands-on support will likely come from an executive assistant or OBM, while the more ‘inner work’ focused support will likely come from a coach or mentor.
Things your professional accountability partner can support you with:
- Setting goals that challenge, inspire, and motivate you
- Planning out your work so you can meet deadlines and deliver high-quality results and/or products to your clients
- Stretching beyond your comfort zone to grow your leadership, revenue, and impact
- Expanding your team with authenticity and integrity to support your values and goals
- Sticking to your systems, processes, and structures for better work-life balance
If you’re ready for your own professional accountability partner — in the form of an OBM, of course — let’s have a chat. My services might be just the ticket to the streamlined growth and scaling that you’re looking for.
November 14, 2023
