3 Key Qualities in the Right Accountability Partner

If you've read a few of my articles you already know I'm a firm believer in having an accountability partner when working on a goal whether or not the goal is a personal or professional one. While preparing for a personal goal of my own, it was my four-year old son who provided me with a great example of the 3 key qualities needed to have the right accountability partner.

I had such a great time participating in The L.A.T.E. Ride last summer I decided to register again this year…and actually do some training/conditioning unlike last year. This event hosts up to 9,000 bicyclists on a summer Saturday night/Sunday morning for a 25-mile ride through Chicago's neighborhoods climaxing with a beautiful stretch along the Chicago lakefront. There is nothing like experiencing the city, safely, in the dark of the night on a bike!

My partner for training has been my son on the tag-a-long. He's game for riding anytime and LOVES to go down the big hills (you can't go too far from my house without going up one or down another). He also likes to direct our route. It was on a warm afternoon ride earlier this week when he kicked my butt AND exemplified the following three key qualities needed in a great accountability partner. 

When working towards a big goal it's important to have someone who will push you beyond what you would do on your own. Left to my own devices, I would easily fall into a routine route that wouldn't stretch me beyond my limits. But when encouraged by someone take a more challenging path; it’s easier to get beyond myself. On this particularly hot and steamy ride, Aidan chose a 4 ½ mile loop and about 2 miles of it is up hill! Which leads to the next important quality…

Your accountability partner must genuinely and whole-heartedly believe in you. I must admit that I had an inkling of the route Aidan wanted to take AND I tried to suggest some alternates but he wasn't falling for it. When I groaned and muttered something about it being a big hill, he energetically replied, "We can do it, Mommy! We have STRONG legs!" How could I argue, especially when my son thinks I'm strong? Honestly, after he said it I did feel a surge of strength and energy as we rode up the hill.

Finally, as you are in the midst of the work and struggle of goal achievement, it's important to have someone who will cheer you on and celebrate the success! As we faced the second of three hills I could hear him chanting behind me "Go, Go, Go!" and I realized he was really cheering me on. OK, I'll admit it. My chant to him was “Pedal faster!”...I needed all the help I could get!

As we finally turned onto our street, I sucked a bit of wind and breathed a small sigh of relief knowing it was literally all downhill from there. I was ready to coast across the finish line, but my accountability partner kept on cheering. He wouldn't settle for anything less than my best. Maybe it was the lack of oxygen but somehow I'd forgotten that average is the enemy of excellence. We couldn't just coast in. Instead my partner encouraged me to change gears and we pedaled as fast as we could down the hill as though we were racing for the Tour de France finish line, blowing right past our driveway. When we finally got home and off our bikes, we high fived and Aidan said, "That was fun! You did really good Mommy." My heart just melted. Not only did I get a great workout, but also a great lesson. Now if only I could take him with me Saturday night!