5 Tips for Setting up Accountability in Your Life
This past weekend, I attended the 2021 Virtual Conference on ADHD. One of the presentations that most resonated with me was on accountability. This session was presented by Eric Tivers of ADHD Rewired. It was filled with humor and great tips on setting up accountability structures in your life. Here are five things I learned while listening to Tivers’ presentation.
1.) Have an Accountability Buddy
Have a person you can check in with about your goals. Set up a time to talk and lay out your goals. During this time, lay out what you want to do and be clear about it. State by what time you will accomplish said goal, and set up a time to check in about said goal.
2.) Don’t Pick a Romantic Partner as Your Accountability Buddy
You must be careful when picking out your accountability partner. Choosing a significant other may create an unhealthy parent-child dynamic in the relationship. This is something you do not want in a romantic relationship.
3.) Do Have a Meaningful Relationship with Your Accountability Buddy
While your accountability buddy should not be a romantic partner, you do need to have a meaningful relationship with your accountability buddy. Do not pick a stranger you met online or someone from a support group. Those places can be a great way to meet someone who can eventually fill that role, but that should not be the primary focus of reaching out to someone you’ve met through those platforms. You should take the time to invest in the relationship. Find someone who you can trust and with whom you can have a strong bond.
4.) Be the One Who Reaches out to the Accountability Buddy
Don’t wait for your accountability partner to check in with you to ask if you did what you said you were going to do. You need to be the one who reaches out and gives a status report. If you say you will do X by a certain time, it should be your responsibility to check in to say whether or not you did what you set out to do. This prevents a nagging relationship from forming.
5.) Hire a Coach
A coach can be an invaluable part of an accountability plan. A coach is able to listen with an ADHD lens and help you prioritize, plan, and hold you accountable. If you do not know where to find accountability in your life, coaching may be the route for you. I encourage you to reach out to a coach (or several to find the right fit) and explore how coaching can benefit you.