What if we had to give an account each night before we went to sleep of the one thing that we did to make life brighter for someone else?
Catherine Pulsifier: Live Each Day This Way
Why these 5 areas that start with F:
1. Fitness: Accountability partners (AP) originated from this area. To lose weight, people would try and find people to do it with so they are able to motivate each other when the going gets tough. For me, I have a friend that swims with me every Sunday morning. I know this worked for me, because on days when I’m left alone, I rarely go down to swim.
2. Food: I received news that I would have to take daily medication for the rest of my life to control my cholesterol – if my lifestyle changes did not help reduce it at all. Putting aside the science behind this, I knew that changing my lifestyle included changing the food I ate AND the way I obtained it: no more deliveries or dining out. Cooking is the only surefire way I know what exactly goes into my mouth. However, to cook every single meal at the start is tiring. Hence, I decided to make my accountability partner my family – by setting up a routine to take turns to cook. If you’re struggling with your food choices, perhaps it’s time to consider an AP.
3. Finance: Money is important to many people. Saving, budgeting, investing, getting insured, and increasing our income are things that require some time and effort. An AP can motivate you – especially if it is someone very close to you, since money can be a sensitive topic. I actually don’t really have a strong AP in this area, although I do have financial human and robo advisors as a layer of accountability.
4. Finishing projects: We all have our personal hobbies, passions and projects that were started years ago. Unlike work, we don’t really have to be accountable for it since no one is chasing us for results. Yet, we often get too passive about it. That’s when an AP can come in and spur you on.
5. Fun: Not forgetting this part of life – fun seems lighthearted, but actually having fun plays a huge part in regulating your emotions and acts as a protective factor against depressive symptoms. Who do you go to for fun? How do you have fun? My AP in this area consists of multiple people – my family, my close friends, etc.
Sometimes it’s good to be alone. Sometimes, having someone there greatly makes life easier for you on a daily basis. So… who’s your accountability partner?
