When you’re writing, it’s easy to get frustrated and consider giving up, particularly when you’re working on a longer project like a book or screenplay. I know the feeling. I’ve been there, too. Now, how did I overcome this challenge? The answer is quite simple actually – I created partnerships to hold myself accountable. Yes! Finding a writing accountability partner can go a long way.
This isn’t just my personal opinion. The Association for Talent Development did a study that found when you let someone know your plans, you raise your chance of completing those plans to 65%. And when you regularly check in with another person about your plans, you raise your chance of finishing to 95%.
Finding an accountability partner in your women writers network helps you embrace responsibility and keeps you on track to keep writing until you finish. It not only helps you to show your commitment to seeing your project through but also builds a supportive writing community you can flourish in.
Power of Accountability
Accountability is too powerful of a tool to overlook. It can transform your setbacks into stepping stones. It guides you, keeps you on track, and more importantly, reminds you of your destination. This process isn’t just about checking tasks off a list; it’s about creating a space where your commitments have a witness, making them more real and tangible.
All you need to do is to find a committed writing accountability partner and check in with them. The act of regularly sharing progress with someone does wonders for your motivation. It’s not only about avoiding the embarrassment of reporting back that you’ve done nothing (although that can be a powerful motivator). It’s about recognizing that someone else is invested in your success as much as you are. This mutual interest and enthusiasm create a supportive environment that can significantly boost your dedication and focus.
What is an accountability partner, you ask? It is simply someone you share your writing progress with. Sharing the challenges on your path not only opens the door to constructive feedback and advice but also normalizes these challenges of the creative process. It reminds you that hurdles are part of the process, not signs of failure. This mindset shift can dramatically increase your resilience and persistence, making the journey towards your goals less difficult and more achievable.
Setting Accountability
The very first and important step that provides the base of accountability is finding your accountability partner. This person could be your friend, family member, or someone you know from your creative writing mentorship programs.
If you are someone who thrives in a more connected environment, joining or creating online writing groups could be ideal for you. Women’s writing workshops are a great place to meet those with similar goals as you with whom you can develop these connections.
The next thing you need to do is commit to checking in with them regularly. Whether you meet them in person or virtually from the comfort of your home depends on you and your schedule. You can begin by letting each other know what you want to get done. Then, set regular times to chat.
Now, the golden rule for this whole process is honesty. Be honest about what you’ve done. It’s wonderful to celebrate when you’ve completed your plan. But accountability becomes even more important when you slow down or don’t know how to finish or things are simply not going as planned.
It’s in these moments that having someone to share with becomes invaluable. The accountability buddies in your women writers network can give you advice, encouragement, and, most importantly, the gentle push you need to start writing again.
I’ve included this kind of accountability in the Inspired Writer Community. Every Monday, we check in to tell each other our plans for the week. Every Friday, we celebrate our wins. No pressure and no guilt. We’re simply letting each other know what we’ve done and then celebrating our forward movement.
Celebrating achievements feels good, but that’s not the main reason for it. Celebrations let you see what you’ve created. They allow you to take a bird’s eye view of your project, which in turn helps you decide on your next steps.
What Accountability is NOT
While we talk about what accountability is, it is also important to know what it is not. It is not about sticking to someone else’s schedule or feeling pressured by external expectations. It is not a rigid framework that forces you into a one-size-fits-all routine.
True accountability is flexible, and it helps you find your own rhythm. For instance, I post Mondays and Fridays because that’s the beginning and end of the standard work week. But hey, that’s me; if that doesn’t work for you, find a day and time that does. If you write on weekends, for example, use Saturday as your day to share your plans. Once your work time is over, you can share your wins and challenges during the week.
Being accountable has nothing to do with comparison. It is not something where you measure your progress against others, feeling disheartened if you perceive yourself as falling short. It’s a supportive structure, a gentle nudge to keep you aligned with your goals, not a strict overseer. It’s about building a community of understanding and encouragement where each of us progresses at our own pace, celebrating our unique journeys.
Accountability Programs
There are various support groups you can join to establish accountability for yourself. One such program is NaNoWriMo, where you keep track of your daily words and write with partners or other groups of people. The program has more than 300,000 writers around every year who commit to writing. The community support one can get here is one of the reasons it is successful.
Setting up accountability is a step towards transforming your writing dreams into tangible realities. Whether through joining writing mentorship programs, participating in global writing challenges like NaNoWriMo, or simply finding a buddy to share your progress with, every step taken is a leap toward becoming the writer you want to be.
Remember, you’re not alone on this journey. The Inspired Writer Community is always here, welcoming you with open arms. So, if you’re looking for a sign to take that next step, this is it. Start building your accountability today and unlock the full potential of your writing dreams.
