Accountability Partner

I have a confession to make. Years ago I was pretty fit, probably the most fit I ever have been in my life. I never was an athletic girl growing up because I didn’t like getting all sweaty and messing my hair up. HA! Imagine that right? Well, as I grew older, being physically fit became a huge priority to me. I loved the way it made me look and feel. Naturally, who doesn’t want to look their best, right? Well, as the years have passed, I’ve added more onto my plate, as so many of us do, and we find excuses do put something aside. For me, it was me.

I began to put myself last in front of everything and everyone else, and frankly, when I had down time or free time to workout, I would find a jillion other things that needed to get done OR sit and relax for a moment. I’m not saying I gave up excersize all together, but I let go the CONSISTENCY factor long enough that I began to see a difference. And I realized not long ago that something’s gotta change. I found my focus. Now I just needed one more thing to hold my feet to the fire.

Accountability.

I needed an accountability partner that I could come back to week after week and say YUP! Done!

So that’s what I did. I found someone that I have huge respect for that I can trust and feel like she won’t be judgmental of me or critical of me and encourage me along the way. Nevermind that I’m embarking on one of the busiest times ever… (more to come on that!), BUT there’s always an excuse I can make to NOT take care of myself. So I put that focus in high gear, and am now making it a priority to workout at least 4 times a week. For me, going from 1 – 2 times to this is more of a commitment to myself. And enough that I would see a difference in my body.

So now back to this accountability thing… which by the way, can be applied to so many more things other than fitness or working out. You can have an accountability partner for your work, if you need to make calls. You can have one if you’re working on a big project (that’s a chosen, not required task), that will keep you accountable for each step along the way so you can actually finish.

So what are some things you can look for in an accountability partner?

1. Someone you respect. Especially respecting them in the area in which they are holding you accountable.

2. Someone you trust. You know that person won’t share what you share with them in confidence. That’s a huge and comforting thing.

3. Someone that doesn’t judge. If you falter along the way, they won’t make you feel bad. We all make mistakes, we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get back in the saddle again. They are ACCEPTING of you. Which leads into the next thing…

4. Someone encouraging. Times might get tough, but they’re there to keep rooting for TEAM YOU!

5. Someone honest. You want someone who can give you constructive criticism in a sensitive and sincere way vs someone who will just tell us what we want to hear.

So, if you need help in finding your focus and staying on track, find an accountability partner.

…. and some great music never hurts, too! {wink!}