Why having an accountability partner can dramatically increase your chances to succeed.
I ran a marathon – all 26. 2 miles – twice.
And now I can barely get off of my metaphorical couch. How did this happen in such a short time? Well, aside from being a full time working mother of five and everything that comes with that chaotic package (think juggling balls, hundreds of them…) it boils down to one simple reason: I lost my running partner. Or, in other words, I stopped running once I lost my accountability partner. Why is it so much easier to work out when you have a partner holding you accountable?
“Accountability is the glue that ties commitment to the result.” — Bob Proctor
Why we need to be accountable to someone to get stuff done
According to the American Society of Training and Development, you have a 65% chance of completing a goal if you commit to that goal to someone else. And if you have a specific accountability appointment with the person you’ve told about that goal, you will increase your chance of success by up to 95%.
Basically, my success rate dropped from 95% to 5% when my running partner decided to up and move. I needed her, likely more than she needed me.
We all need people in our corner who have time to invest in us. It’s hard enough finding the time to invest in ourselves. So, if you’re lucky enough to have someone in your life who is invested in seeing you succeed, you’ll be far more likely to get off the couch and get things done!
That someone isn’t just anyone
A solid “accountability partner” is hard to come by. You have to find someone more disciplined than you and someone who truly cares about your success. That someone must be willing to follow up with you on a regular basis and keep coming back – even when you blow them off.
“Having a reliable workout buddy increases your chances of sticking with your program,” says Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD, MS, PT, psychologist, physical therapist and author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness (Morgan James, 2009)
But what happens when unexpected events arise like juggling kids, work, school, etc. for either you or your “accountability partner”? The very thing that is supposed keep you going could also be your demise – putting so much effort into making your schedules work that the workout never happens at all.
It begs the question: Does that someone have to be a physical body standing next to you? What about a phone call or a text? Would it be enough to keep you moving?
Does accountability have to be face to face?
In a recent study at Virginia Polytechnic University, researchers created two of groups of people starting a walking program. Every week, one group got a phone call asking how their exercise program was coming along; the other group got no calls.
At the end of six months, 45% of the individuals receiving phone calls were still walking compared to just 2% who did not receive calls. This weekly accountability increased the likelihood of sticking to the exercise program by 2200%. Clearly, accountability does not have to come from a physical person standing next to you.
In other words, there may be hope for crazy-busy people like me who desperately want an exercise program but have a hard time coordinating face to face with a partner.
With a simple text message, you could potentially do this on your own time but still be held accountable for your actions. Really, it’s the best of both worlds.
Would you be my running partner?
I am sick of making excuses, and with summer less than 30 days away, I am more than ready to get my running game on… and need your help! I say we try this accountability thing together with text messaging.
I believe that anyone, with any body type, at any fitness level, with a little consistency – and a lot of accountability – can run a 5K.
I will send you a personal text message every day for the next 30 days with a very simple yet proven walking/jogging/running plan. This specific workout will range from 15–40 minutes daily and it is something that literally anyone can do. I promise.
Your part? No fees, no strings attached, your phone number will not be compromised in any way. You just need to complete the daily workout and reply “done.”
I am not a personal trainer, just a busy girl seeking an accountability partner. I am going to start next Monday. If you are with me text: “run” to my phone number: (385) 393-1441
Ready, set, let’s do this! Text me today and I will see you Monday.
Cheers,
Bianca