As a woman prone to procrastinate, I thank the Lord for somebody who is a huge blessing in my life – my accountability partner. I embrace the idea of answering to another person because it has brought me enormous freedom and joy. This relationship is one of the major ways the Lord H.E.L.Ps me. (Blog post February 1, 2015) Please, prayerfully consider this if you battle procrastination.
I’d like to think I’m always a responsible self-starter who naturally maximizes the life God has given me. Fact is, I’m not. I usually know what things I need to do and sometimes when I should do them. I make do lists and looove to mark through finished tasks. Yet‚Ķ I often ignore my list or do other tasks and neglect the most important. I’ve tried various aids for overcoming this bent. The best for me is my accountability partner.
Through the body of Christ, our heavenly Father provides us with help for abundant living. My accountability partner helps me put on the new man (Ephesians 4:22-24) this way: On Monday I email her the list of “Big Rocks” – the MAJOR things I need to do that week, not everything. On Saturday I email her my Big Rock Report telling whether or not I did them. That’s it. Easy peasy. I like to send “Done.” Sometimes I email “Cleaned one closet, not two.” I have also written “Did none.”
Here are some ways my life is made more abundant through this simple accountability. It
- Brings freedom and peace as burdens are lifted quickly
- Helps me stay focused on what I should be doing, serving as a kind of compass
- Helps keep front burner items on the front burner and not let them drift back. Therefore,
- I actually accomplish the important things – playtime with the children or writing a vital letter
- Develops more defined and appropriate goals with my partner’s input
- Spurs me to set goals I might not otherwise
- Helps me walk free by completing old work, and doing new in a timely manner
- Develops humility
- Gives me a sister who shares the joys of accomplishment and understands the disappointments
- Provides a friend who prays for me in my struggle
- Helps protect me from the roaring lion
- Develops in me a taste for diligence
- Helps me form new habits and actually change
- Helps me fulfill my calling
- Encourages me tremendously!
The bent to procrastinate is within me. It can ambush me anytime. Accountability is like having guards with me, weapons ready, eyes alert for what could pull me down and take me out.
Thank you, Accountability Partner!
What would you like to get out of an accountability relationship?
I thought this was a VERY helpful post, Beth. I so need to have an accountability partner as well. I guess I should start praying about one…and not procrastinate in doing so!!! 😉
I love reading your posts and find them all so inspirational. Thank you…it’s always good to hear from you (even if it’s indirectly in a blog post)
It’s good to hear from you, too, Janice! Thank you! You bring us to an important point – prayer. That’s critical.
I started with an accountability partner for exercise and food this month. The accountability has been helpful. When I am feeling too tired work toward the day’s goals, I often do it just because I don’t want to dissapoint her or admit to my laziness. It also helps me stay in bounds when I am tempted to indulge. It hasn’t made me perdect by any means. A good accountabiliy partner also offers grace and encouragement to get back on your horse and try again tomorrow.
Sometimes when I think I have nothing left, I will knock out an item just so I can report that it is done. Of course, then I’m glad! And it doesn’t extend into next week. Also, you said it well, Karen, a good AP offers grace and encouragement to get back on your horse and try again tomorrow. Congratulations on your food and exercise efforts with your AP! That brings us to a topic we’ll touch on next week.