One of the smartest moves I’ve made since I started my own business is to be a part of an accountability group. Each Monday three friends and I get together over lunch to talk about our goals (sales and otherwise) and then hold one another accountable for outcomes. We talk about forecasting, contacts, pages written, pounds lost, laps run, etc. We’re all self-motivated small business owners who want to do/be our best. This small group people are a huge part of my success thus far. Here’s why:
- Vulnerability - these are folks I’ve known for a while. I trust them enough to be honest with them about how much money I want to make and what I want my life to look like. I can be vulnerable to them.
- Invested - we care about one another. It’s not uncommon that one or more of us will get a call during the week to see how things are going. “Are you making your calls?” “How are those pages coming along?”
- Consistency - we meet every week. It’s not an on again, off again group. (We do make allowances for school holidays, sick children, business trips, vacations, etc.)
- Accountability - each week I have to share what I’ve done the previous week. Not doing what I said I was going to do previously is hard. I don’t want to let these folks (and myself) down.
- Big Girl Panties (or Big Boy Underwear) - we come each week, expecting hard questions and aren’t afraid to get beat up a little bit. Don’t come to lunch if you’re not willing to let someone give you constructive feedback.
- Results - because we are fully engaged in the process, we’re all seeing positive results, not only in business but in life.
It’s nearly time for lunch. I have to grab my notebook and get out the door to go to Charleys. We’re there most Mondays at lunchtime. Say hello if you’re in the neighborhood.
Do you have people who hold you accountable for reaching your goals? If not, why not start an accountability group today?