How to make accountability fun (oh yes you can)
Does accountability need to be fun? Well, I suppose not. But then again… apply a bit of creativity to it, and suddenly, you’re more engaged with the tasks, the outcomes and are better motivated to Get Stuff Done.
Growth accountability – the process (or art?) of knowing what needs doing to grow your business and getting it done - sounds soooo simple. But ask most small business owners about how effective they are at getting stuff done, and they will put down the handful of flaming juggling sticks, the twelve coloured balls and the dozen wildly spinning plates and slap you round the face with a wet to do list.
It can be tricky to get accountability into your business in a consistent way. Even harder not to make it as dull as the proverbial water from a ditch. Let’s face it, accountability is not sexy. Whichever way you look at it (and I have stared it down straight on, given it the side-eye and thrown several meaningful glances in its direction) accountability can be a bit…yawn-inducing.
Which in turn means that it gets easily pushed aside in favour of the more interesting things. Ironic that something designed to help you get stuff done ends up falling off the bottom of your to do list, just ask Alanis Morrisette.
Here’s a few ideas to help you be a bit more creative about holding you accountable for your growth actions.
1. Get an accountability partner. Okay, so this is not particularly creative, but holding yourself accountable is a bad idea, ergo, and accountability partner is a GOOD idea. If you want a framework for setting up an accountability partnership, pop into the Tool Shed for the latest Allotment tool called the Growth Accountability Framework.
2. Bring back the art of letter writing and pen a handwritten note to yourself describing what your business will be like in 6 months, 9 months and 12 months time. Yes, three letters. Start with the 12 month version and work backwards, bringing your future business to life however you feel appropriate. Seal each letter in an envelope, address them to you, pop a stamp on and hand them over to a trusted friend who will mail them back to you at the appropriate time. The act of describing your future business is already bringing the reality to it happening closer, and receiving each letter will track progress and will be a motivator to create action to achieve your future business. Of course, you don’t have to mail the letters, you can keep them under your pillow until the desired time, but getting them through the post is so much more FUN.
3. Get Accountability surprises. You will of course, be having regular check ins with your accountability partner. But what about a surprise progress check-in via Whatsapp or text? Agree to send and receive a random weekly check in, to help keep your growth actions front of mind. Heck, create your own accountability meme involving cute kittens hanging onto a door handle, whatever works for you.
4. How about some accountability art? I am a bog fan of doodling your growth plans – perhaps start with creating an image that encapsulates your future business, then around it, doodle smaller images that represent each o the key actions you need to take to achieve it. Use colours, collage, paints – whatever you fancy (personally, I draw the line at glitter, it’s Beelzebub’s dandruff). Then you can tick off each doodle as you go, or add a great big gold star to each. This might sound like child’s play, and you’d be right – it’s the best state to get in to help you be creative with your business thinking and bringing it to life with colour will really engage you with the vision you are creating.
5. Grow some carrots. The more pleasant part of the carrot and stick motivation technique, carrots are a great way of helping to keep yourself accountable. A carrot is a bribe by a more nutritional name, but if it works, don’t knack it. Set yourself monthly growth goals and actions, write them on a large piece of paper and draw a carrot next to each. Decide on a reward and assign to each carrot. It could be as simple and quick as a tea break with added Custard Creams, or something a bit more meaningful for chunkier goals. I’m not sure what is more meaningful than a Custard Cream, but I’m sure you’ll think of something.
6. Brandish the odd stick. Look, carrots are great, but if you are more motivated to get stuff done when you’re being prodded aggressively with a knobbly stick, then create yourself some sticks (and this is where an accountability partner is also useful, making sure you follow though with your stick forfeits). A stick can be anything from posting a selfie on your socials when you’d rather eat your own toenails than show your face, or donating to a cause you don’t agree with if you don’t get stuff done. Ouch.
7. Create an accountability frame. Get an old picture frame – something suitably over-ornate, swirly and gold if possible, so that it really makes your retinas flinch. Or make one, the world is your frame-oyster (not a thing but I’m going with it. Hang it near your desk so you can see it. In the centre, stick a single Post-it with your most important growth action written on it. Now THIS is accountability focus.
If you are really serious about accountability and getting your growth actions nailed, then come along to the Business Shed, the Allotment’s monthly online growth club. Along with the all-important accountability, Shed members get shed-loads of creative ways to grow their businesses, time to work on their strategy and get new ideas. Find out more here.