Solopreneurs and small business owners are unique in that they don’t have to answer to anyone for their time except the occasional hourly client. This gives you plenty of freedom and allows you to live your life on your own schedule. If you want to take a day off in the middle of the week, you can. If you want to spend a few hours at your favorite store, like Target or only work half a day so you can take your child to the dentist, you don’t have to ask anyone’s permission. You can simply go.
While this type of work freedom is exciting and enjoyable, it has a down side, too. It can be easier to procrastinate because no one’s looking over your shoulder, making sure you’re still on track with your projects.
If you’re prone to procrastination and you work as a solopreneur, you may need an accountability partner. By working together, you can keep each other focused and productive. Plus, an accountability partner will understand what it’s like to run an online business so you also have a business advisor you can turn to. But you shouldn’t just pick just anyone to be your accountability partner. There are certain things you want in a partner that you should keep in mind.
Work with someone that feels like a friend.
If you don’t like the other person, you’re not likely to make your partnership last very long. You need someone that you could be friends with. Maybe you’re both work at home mothers. Maybe you’re both committed to leveling up your businesses in the next year. Maybe you both have the same wacky sense of humor or the same taste in fabulous shoes. It doesn’t matter what bonds you. It just matters that you enjoy hanging out with your accountability partner.
Pick someone positive.
Your attitude affects every area of your life, including your business. If you choose accountability partner that always focuses on the negative, your own attitude will become negative, too. As a result, you’ll embrace a mindset that will prevent you from reaching the success you want.
When you’ve finished a conversation with one of your accountability partners, you should feel uplifted and encouraged. Obviously, not everyone can be positive all the time. But if you notice that more than 20% of your conversations are negative, then you may want to bring this up during your next meeting. If your accountability partner isn’t willing to stop the negativity, you may want to keep an eye out for someone more uplifting.
Choose someone you trust.
A big part of being accountability partners is sharing your hopes and dreams. That’s why you want to find someone that you trust and that believes in you. You don’t want to discover that your accountability partner has been talking about your business behind your back or find out she’s decided to use that awesome idea you shared in confidence.
Follow up regularly.
An accountability partnership will only help you if you commit to it. You and your partner should be following up with each other every week or every other week. It doesn’t matter if you opt to meet on Skype or if you have coffee together in person. The important thing is that you and your partner are intentional about meeting up.
Keep in mind that a partnership goes both ways. While you want to find someone that will support you, you also need to choose a partner that you believe in and are willing to support, even in the tough stuff.
Want To Learn More?
I’ve Put Together A FREE Workbook & Journal To Help You Stop Procrastinating & Start Getting Stuff Done!
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