Some people need more support than others. It’s part of our anatomy. Some women need that expensive, sturdy sports bra that holds everything together and minimizes the bounce. Other women, like me, need less support when we’re out running the trails. A knock-off sports bra from Target tends to hold the girls in just fine for me.
If you don’t have the right level of support for your—ahem—gifts, you can get really uncomfortable. Chafing, sagging and back pain are just a few of the risks you encounter.
But when it comes to accountability in business, I think we can all agree that the more support we have, the better off we are. We know we can’t do it all alone, and we need to surround ourselves with people who lift us up and make sure we stay on track. Just like a good sports bra secures our hoo-has.
Fit Perfectly for the Right Purpose
Sports bras come in different shapes and sizes—for different sized women and for different purposes. For us runners, we need something with more support, to prevent bounce. Yogis, on the other hand, may not need quite as much support because there’s not much bouncing going on in a traditional yoga class.
Accountability buddies also come in all shapes and sizes. My business coach is a great source of accountability for me. After all, I do pay her to help guide me through some of my business challenges. But the support she offers me is different from the support my accountability buddies give me. While I check in with my coach once or twice a month, I check in with some of my accountability buddies almost every day. They’re there for the day-in, day-out advice and feedback that I think we so desperately need.
It’s important to find the right amount of support, or accountability, for the job at hand. Find the right person or group of people for the support you need, when you need it and at the right investment.
Provide Support During Tough Runs
Not every workout is made equally. Some days, I head out for a long trail run and others I lift weights at home. A long trail run needs a studier sports bra, and it requires a certain amount of accountability just to get it done. It can be a rough road, and without someone there to support me, I might sneak through a shortcut and not finish the number of miles I set out to do in the first place.
The same is true for accountability buddies. I recently had a very difficult patch in my business mindset and my regular accountability buddies were right there beside me, offering support and guidance. I needed them there with me to make sure I met deadlines and followed through with the tasks I needed to do to keep moving forward.
Find the right people who will stick by you, even when you’re not in a good space. Those are the people who will stand by your side through thick and thin.
The Right Level of Comfort
One of my favorite things about working from home is that I can dress in my pajamas and a sports bra nearly every day. It’s comfortable. So much more comfortable than having to wear “real” clothes.
The same thing can be said about good accountability buddies. You should feel comfortable sharing your troubles and your triumphs. You should feel good about asking questions and seeking out help. Because that’s what accountability partners are for—helping you move your business forward, no matter what.
If you haven’t had any luck finding accountability when creating content for your business, let me help. On March 16, I’m launching Race to Summer Break, an 8-week low-investment program that will help you get your blog and email content written and scheduled before school gets out for summer. It might be just what you’ve been looking for to keep you accountable.
