I think we can all agree that accountability is a HUGE tool in our success tool bag, and, as we go into the last quarter of the year, it’s one I want you to take out and use NOW.
None of us are strangers to the idea of peer pressure. As children, we tended to think of it as something to avoid. I’m going to ask you to put that concept aside and imagine for a moment:
What could would it mean for you and your business to feel a little positive pressure from someone in the same boots as you? A woman who gets it and pushes you from a place of love, respect and a genuine desire to see you succeed?
That’s the power of an Accountability Partner.
However, I don’t want you not to pick just anyone. This should be an extremely selective process. Treat it as if you were choosing a daycare provider for your child. This is your business baby after all.
Here are some things I encourage my clients to consider:
- Your prospective partner must be motivated.This goes above and beyond what they are telling you in your discussions with them about a partnership. Are they someone you know to be intentional and focused in their day-to-day lives? When you check their social media accounts, are they consistently representing themselves as a business owner? These are just a few of the ways you as an outsider can tell if they are seriously working their business.
- Where are they in their business?I like to surround myself with people who are, for the most part, a few steps ahead of me. That way I am fortunate to have people who have already been through the stage I am currently at. If they aren’t a few steps ahead in their business, then they should at least possess a skill set that is complimentary to yours. Where do you struggle? Are they strong it that area?
- Are they invested in you and the Accountability Partner process?This is probably the most important question to answer because, if the answer is no, then you’re wasting your time. You partner needs to be willing to make time for you in their schedule. If they are giving you all kinds of reasons why they can’t schedule your sessions on this date or that, move on. They should be a good listener and have a genuine interest in getting to know you in a meaningful way. If they aren’t willing to put in the work to get to know you, how are they going to know when to push you and when you hold back?
- They need to have a concrete understanding of how your business runs and generates revenue.The truth is that there is no ‘one size fits all’ business model. Some are very intricate. Some industries are much different than others. Your partner needs to understand, and preferably have some experience in, your business model to be able to successfully help you during your time together.
- You must be able to trust your partner.Like Fight Club, what happens in your sessions needs to stay in your sessions. If you can’t trust your partner, you won’t be able to open up and the process will inevitably fall flat.
BONUS: You need to care about not letting them down. If you’re not worried about this, then they either aren’t the right fit for you or you’re not ready for the process. Either way, this partnership won’t end well.
Curious if there are personality types to avoid? There absolutely are. Check out this post.
Samantha King is a busy mompreneur and homeschooler with two young children and a couple of businesses at home. When Samantha’s daughter was diagnosed with autism, she had to learn how to keep her priorities aligned within her family, while operating her business at the same time. She is excited to share her knowledge to empower entrepreneurs by giving them the tools they need to do something they love while building sustainable, profitable businesses.
Contact Samantha:
Tel: 416-885-6841
Email: samantha@fempirebuilders.com
Facebook: @FempireBuilders
Twitter: @FempireBuilders
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