What Is An Accountability Group?
We’re better together 💕
…But are you willing to ask for help from others when you truly need it?
When it comes to achieving your goals, how often do you allow yourself to rely on others for essential guidance along the way?
And to what extent do you acknowledge that your success depends on friends, family members, or acquaintances?
It can sometimes seem easier to forge ahead alone than rely on others for tips, feedback, or guidance; but don’t let yourself be fooled:
Social support is just about as essential to your wellbeing as oxygen.
No matter how motivated you are on your own, anchoring your commitment to a social group is proven to help you progress more effectively toward your goals.
When you share your goals with others, you create an opportunity for them to check in on you and help you troubleshoot if you encounter challenges. This is exactly the winning strategy behind the accountability groups. In this article, we’ll explore how committing to an accountability group will exponentially boost your chances of achieving your goals and where to look for them.
Let's find out more:
What Is An Accountability Group?
So what is an accountability group, anyway?
Generally, accountability groups are created when members of like-minded people gather with the purpose of sharing their knowledge so as to support each other in achieving their goals. With the tidal wave of remote workers though, the popularity of accountability groups has skyrocketed with Zoom.
Today, there are fewer barriers than ever to find like-minded people working toward similar goals, from getting fit to writing a book. If there are always a few important items left on your to-do calendar at the end of every month, that’s a good sign that joining an accountability group might be helpful for you!
When you join an accountability group, you invest in peer-to-peer accountability that allows you to lean on a network of people with first hand knowledge of what you’re trying to accomplish. Sometimes, accountability groups are led by experts - but often, the idea is simply for a group of motivated individuals to support each other through shared experience and feedback. In turn, you need to be willing to share your own knowledge of a distinctive field with the wider group and be prepared to listen and give feedback to the other members.
How Social Support Systems Benefit Your Wellbeing
Human beings are naturally social creatures! When we cooperate, we're not just fulfilling the call of the wild though.
Building community actively contributes to our emotional wellbeing by providing security and nurturing our sense of belonging. When we invest in relationships, we secure mutual support if (and when) times get tough.
Recent research supports this idea. The American Society of Training and Development studied accountability and found that people are 65% more likely to reach their goals when they have shared their commitment with someone else.
(Cue: scheduling that doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off.)
Among a wide range of benefits, joining an accountability group:
Fosters accountability because all members hold accountable for the achievement of each other's goals
Reduces the pain of procrastination
Gives you access to a like-minded and supportive peer group
Encourages you to celebrate your progress toward achieving your goals
Gives you a forum to exchange ideas and learn from others’ mistakes
Accountability groups used to be book-club-type get-togethers, but with virtual meetings at our fingertips, you can now find social support to get you where you want to be with a healthy dose of determination and just a few clicks!
If you're a working parent or simply too busy to get out of the house for an accountability meeting, you can join one instead via video chat. This way you won't have to try to squeeze a group meeting into your schedule but you can simply decide to join the group from the comfort of your home.
Getting Started with Accountability Groups
So how do we actually get started with accountability groups? Either start your own or join one! If you’re starting a group from scratch, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Keep the topic as specific as possible (more specific goals = greater likelihood of achieving them)
Clearly lay out expectations for group engagement from day #1 so everyone is on the same page about what they’re signing up for
Make a clear RSVP and cancellation policy
Build celebrations into your agenda!!
What Makes a Successful Group
Like book clubs, accountability groups tend to struggle to sustain the interest of group members over time. With skillful facilitation, however, leaders can harness the shared motivation of accountability groups and boost engagement.
The recipe for building a successful accountability group revolves around three big "Cs":
Cooperation
Commitment
Clarity
Here are a few tips for ensuring the success of an accountability group:
Choose an effective leader who can motivate other members, keep them engaged and track progress
Ensure that all the members are like-minded, highly motivated and prepared to support each other
Schedule regular meetings with a shared calendar to build routine
Set measurable goals with clear implementation intentions
Commit to taking a non-judgmental approach when giving feedback
Where to Find Existing Accountability Groups
Are you jazzed about getting accountable yet? 💃
It’s time to take the leap and sign up! You might need to go through some trial and error before you find the right fit. In the end, you'll surely find a group that you’ll feel like you can’t live without. If you’re interested in joining an open accountability group, check out these platforms:
Meetup is perhaps the original social accountability platform that allows you to search a broad range of activities and connect with like-minded people, both online and IRL.
Mastermind Jam is a business-focused accountability platform curated and run by business development experts.
Makerlog is a social platform helping makers and creatives launch great products with community feedback.
Dip.chat is an accountability group for developers run on Telegram. You buy a seat in the group and then commit to posting updates about your progress every day - if you miss a day, you get charged!
Start Your Own Accountability Group
The most reliable way to ensure that you end up in an accountability group that really meets your needs and values is to create your own. This DIY solution will take a bit more investment up front, but the process of organizing will help you to hone in on your goals and build relationships as you go. When you have total freedom to carefully choose the members of your team, pick the desired format and define the strategies, your successes will be so much more rewarding.
What do you want to be held accountable for today?