How a Virtual Accountability Partner Can Keep You Motivated During Quarantine

An accountability partner can offer constructive feedback, fresh perspective, guidance and inspiration to help you succeed and reach your goals. In any part of our life where we want to be successful, having someone to share the experience with can make a huge difference in whether or not you actually reach your goals!

This might be in the form of a workout buddy, life coach, diet partner, social support or anything else that you could use a boost to reach your goals while stuck in quarantine.

With the current necessity of social distancing and staying at home, you may be wondering how the heck to find an accountability partner? Luckily, the world is adapting VERY quickly to doing everything virtually. Now, home workouts, therapy sessions, business meetings, and Friday game nights are all being done on screens. It is now easier than ever to find an individual or group that can help expedite your health!

Why do you need an accountability partner? Exponential growth even while stuck at home!

Having an accountability partner is usually a partnership where you mutually agree to coach each other and provide feedback on a regular basis. You and your accountability partner agree to daily or weekly feedback sessions to share wins and talk about your current challenges.

Otherwise, if you want more of a one sided partnership you may consider hiring a coach in the niche you want to focus on.

Working with an accountability partner is so great because it helps you take responsibility for your actions and your decisions. For most of us, if we share our goals and intentions out loud, they can on a whole new level of importance. Basically, it’s a lot easier to skip out your goals when the only person you have to explain your decisions to is yourself 🙂

Find some consistency during these crazy COVID-19 times.

As you commit to your goals (health related or not), your accountability partner will be there to make sure you follow through with your actions. This is SO important right now as our routines get turned upside down and motivation is lagging. Many of us feel paralyzed by fear, anxiety, and a sudden drastic change in our responsibilities (daycare and teacher and employee all at once, anyone?!).

How can you get unstuck and start feeling inspired again? Find a partner to help you stay focused!

Accountability partner benefits.

Being an accountability partner is fun. You have an opportunity to coach someone while also receiving value in return. This can give your days purpose and help you stay motivated. Whether this person is a friend or new acquaintance, you can build a relationship of trust and support to keep each other inspired and gaining forward momentum. Plus, it doesn’t have to be complicated: partner up with someone that is flexible with your schedule, needs, and time.

Other great options to keep accountability.

• Phone apps. Whether its a habit tracker, setting an alarm on your phone, or something more complicated like a fitness or coaching group. Find what works for you!
• Mastermind groups. If you’re looking to take your health to the next level, find a group that want to support you in pursuing just that. Everything from nutrition, exercise, personal development, mindfulness… there is a group for everything.
• Online fitness groups. Paid and free health or workout groups exist just about everywhere nowadays, with Facebook groups being some of the most popular. Another popular option is a paid program like Beach Body that offers support for exercise, nutrition, and body image.
• Local groups. These are on hold for the moment but are a great option nonetheless. It can be as simple as going to a weekly class at the gym or finding a community mom’s or exercise group that meets up somewhere periodically. Right now, I’m all about the YouTube and Zoom live dance videos!
• Coaching or training programs. Hire a coach or personal trainer dedicated to helping you set and reach your goals.

Areas of life you might consider an accountability partner for…

An accountability partner isn’t just useful for business owners. You can work with an accountability partner in a variety of areas.

• Fitness training
• Diet or nutrition
• Positive self-talk or emotional growth
• Effective communication
• Relationships
• Parenting
• Smoking cessation
• Budgeting (stop wasting money or start saving)
• Home organization or cleaning
• Writing
• Self-help
• Business
• And on and on…

How do I choose the right person or group?

There are a variety of ways find an accountability partner. You can:

• Ask a friend or co-worker – Use caution here. Make sure you choose someone who will be truthful and has a good working knowledge about your goals.
• Ask or select someone from online communities or groups. There may be people may be actively looking for someone themselves, and you probably already share some common interests. Finally, you can see if your personalities are compatible by watching for their responses in online communities.
• Google groups, coaches, or any other form of support that you’re interested in.

When you find someone that you think could be a good match, jump on a zoom or whatsapp video call and get to know each other. Set up a schedule and get to work. Be honest with each right form the start so that if it doesn’t work out for some reason there are no hard feelings.

What can you expect from your accountability partner? 

• Encourage and Support – They should encourage you to achieve your goals, celebrate your successes and support you during the tough times when you may be discouraged, sidetracked or suffering from a loss of focus (aka everyone right now!).
• Collaborate and brainstorm – Being able to collaborate with someone who understands your goals is critical to moving forward. These sessions are where outlines, task plans and measurable goals will be set. This is where working as a partnership affords you the creative support that is denied by working totally alone.
• Motivate and keep focus – Having to report to your partner on a bi-weekly or monthly basis will motivate you to achieve the tasks and goals that you and your partner have discussed and set. There are no more excuses if you want to get ahead with your health goals. Your accountability partner is there to keep you focused, motivated and on task.

Let this year be your best one yet.

Times are hard right now! One of the big buzz words being used right now is “pivot.” And the truth is that you have two options right now: get caught up in what you can’t control (so easy with all the negativity in the news) or take these unusual times and use them to grow.

Even once our time in lock down is over, the way we conduct our daily live will be forever changed. When you look back on this time a year or ten years from now, will there be a defining moment that helped you stay on top of your goals or help bring your life purpose?

One simple way to make the year 2020 your best year yet, despite all the adversity you’re dealing with? Join a community or find a partner that pushes you to be your best.

I’m so glad you’re part of the Health Means Wealth community. If you need more support, remember that I have in depth programs, a free Facebook group, and one on one coaching!

Do you have an accountability partner or awesome health community that you’re part of during quarantine (or out of it too)? I’d love to hear about it!