Follow Through on Commitment: Using Accountability Groups

One of my favorite ways to start the day is with an early morning run with my dogs. Nothing beats that time just before sunrise, breathing in the crisp air, observing the seasonal flowers and foliage, noticing the sky turn pink and the birds bursting into song. Even when it’s drizzling or windy or sweltering hot, the natural beauty in my neighborhood stimulates my senses while the exercise releases endorphins shooting that feel good energy through my body and up to my brain. Yet even knowing all of this to my core, I still find it difficult to immediately get up and out the door on some mornings. 

The best antidote to this has been my neighborhood Breast Friends. We met at a cancer survivor lunch and have been running (sometimes walking, sometimes “wunning”) ever since. At 6am sharp, no matter the weather, we meet under the lamppost by the school gate, with our dogs eagerly anticipating their social walk. Knowing that my Breast Friends are counting on me gets me to jump out of bed, brush teeth, change clothes and run out the door to meet them. I would never want to let them down.

They are my accountability group, providing encouragement and motivation to follow through on my commitment. Together we rarely slack (unless one of us is nursing an injury). Perhaps it’s the Hawthorne effect, also know as the “observer effect,” dictating that participants tend to work harder and perform better together. We unconsciously tend to modify our behavior in response to the awareness of being observed. Whatever you want to call it, accountability groups work. They remind you of your why. Without judgement, they provide feedback, a boost to accomplish your task and a sense of community. They keep you grounded in reality, aware of the time and effort you invest. They help you make it happen. Who are your accountability partners? Reach out to set a time and place to meet today.