I’m excited to share a recent article written by my friend and colleague Alyssa Johnson, LCSW. She has been helping stressed out working moms enjoy their lives more for over 15 years. Her Vibrantly Live System™ carries moms out of irritability, exhaustion and low productivity to a place of clarity, confidence and contagious enthusiasm.
Welcome and thanks so much Alyssa for sharing this post! Read on to become inspired!
As busy working moms, we know how easy it is to get distracted. We have constant pulls on our time, leading to feeling more than just a little frazzled! It never seems to fail, just as I get in a real groove and am making some headway, the phone rings or one of the kids need something! Ugh! What’s a busy mompreneur to do?
Falling down the proverbial “rabbit hole” is a constant danger, especially when working from home. Putting systems and checklists in place is helpful, but what I’ve found most effective is good ‘ole accountability! What?! How does that help? Doesn’t that just ADD something to the “to do” list? Those are all good questions. Let’s take a deeper look at how to make this process most effective.
[Tweet “#Accountability is doing what you say you’re going to do, repeatedly.”]
Write it down
First off, research shows you’re more likely to accomplish goals if they’re written. So start (or end) your day by thinking about what you want to accomplish. Be realistic, look at your calendar and the commitments you have and then write down what you’re committing to do.
Schedule it
Having to tell someone what I’ve committed to and then report if it got done is the gist of accountability. But it needs to be scheduled. Integrity is a huge value for me. If I give my word, it’s motivating. I may get distracted, but if I’ve got my list written down and I know I’ve got the follow up call tomorrow (or whenever the next one is), I’ll get myself back in gear.
Prioritize it
For accountability to work, you have to make that call (or email) a priority. Carve out the time to do it and make it consistent! This isn’t a matter of only doing it when you feel like it. If that’s the case, there’s no pressure. Pressure – in a positive way – is the whole point.
Stay focused
Your accountability call is just that – for accountability. It’s not time to chit chat and get off course. If that becomes part of the routine, you may find yourself resenting the time it’s taking away from your day. The point is to share what you accomplished and what you’re committing to do moving forward. These contacts shouldn’t take more than 5-15 minutes.
Rinse & repeat
I have 2 accountability partners (1 for personal matters and 1 for my business). Both have been a part of my life for a long time now and know me well. I think that’s a huge advantage. They know when I can put on a good show and can tell when I’m not staying focused. Because we have established relationships, neither hesitates to call me out. This loving “course correction” is a big advantage.
So, there you go! Take a look in your life. Who are prime candidates to be an accountability partner for you? Don’t hesitate asking and be careful not to take it personal if they choose not to. It is a commitment both of time and emotion. Not everyone is up for that task. But, the sooner you get started, the sooner you can start reaping the rewards!
Is every second of your life scheduled and rushed with no room to enjoy any of it? Are you not being the mom you always dreamt you would be? Are you exhausted & worn out from all the responsibilities on your shoulders? Visit VibrantlyLive.com for more great info on how to enjoy your life and your family more.
While you’re there, be sure to pick up my free report: Stop Trying to be Perfect! 4 Easy Ways to Enjoy Your Life!
Thank you so much Alyssa! These ideas are great ways for us mom-biz owners to stay on top of our goals!
What step above is most difficult for you to stay on top of? Please share any tips you’ve found to make accountability partnerships work in the comments below!
