Accountability

If you have been following this you know that this week I have been struggling a lot due to a medication error. I am trying to get back on track as I feel better but also being gracious with myself and taking extra time and space if I need it. I knew my apartment was getting messy and needed attention (dishes in the sink, old food in the fridge, plants dying because they need watered, fluff my don't latest adventures with her stuff animal all over the floor, unfolded pile of laundry, make up on the sink and a growing hard water stain in the toilet). While I am not an excessively neat person I do feel better about things when my apartment is in order. I asked a friend to check in on me this week to see if I needed any help with cleaning. I completely forgot about that but this morning he reached out and asked. I assessed how I was feeling and decided I was feeling good enough to clean but still might lack the motivation and may not be able to tackle the whole apartment today. What I did was ask for some accountability.

I would not ask for accountability from just anyone. It has to be the right person. Someone may even be my friend but not necessarily a good accountability partner. This person has to be someone that doesn't condemn for not completing the task. That is disheartening. On the other hand you don't want someone who is too soft and makes so many excuses for you that they don't hold you accountable. You must be given grace if things don't work out but not excused. A good accountability partner won't just let it go but after letting you vent help look for ways that you can realistically be successful Having a good accountability partner is sometimes really hard to find. If you are trying to tackle too much at one time they might suggest to reevaluate your goals. They are realistic grounded people. I am lucky enough to have one I feel I can count on. I hope to grow that number but for now I have so much gratitude for the one. It has taken me some trial and error and risk to reach out and find the right person.

By the way. . . . . here is my plan of attack. …..

1) Pick specific things to clean not the whole apartment

Fluff off of the floor (fairly small task)

Take out trash (fairly small task)

Clean off the island (medium side task)

Wash the dishes (the dreaded task)

Water plants (easy task)

2) I took pictures of just these areas and texted them to him . . . . embarrassing but true.

3) Made sure I had a good breakfast before I start, take my meds, and any basic needs I have.

4) Focus on one thing at a time. It can be easy to jump between projects but if I focus on one thing and finish it I can use that accomplishment to help motivate me to do more.

5) Send pictures of areas once tasks are completed

Takeaways

• Not every friend is a good accountability partner

• An accountability partner does not beat you up for not succeeding but will help you walk though alternatives for next time

• Sometimes we have valid reasons that arise and an accountability partner will acknowledge that but won't let you make excuses for not completing the tasks

• As a reminder - always break down tasks into small steps and celebrate the accomplishment of each step