We've made it to the last Tidy Tuesday in September, meaning it's the fourth and final week of Habits Month. After spending the last few weeks exploring routine triggers, paper reminders, and smartphone apps, it's time to get some warm bodies involved.
Habits Week 4: Accountability
No matter what methods you try while building new habits, one thing can skyrocket your chances of success: accountability.
The routine triggers we discussed in Week 1 and the paper reminders from Week 2 leave us accountable only to ourselves. Getting a smartphone app involved, as mentioned in Week 3, changes things only slightly; we still have only ourselves to rely on for support and report back with any successes or failures. Genuine encouragement and empathy are nowhere to be found.
In contrast, inviting another person into our habit-creating, behavior-modifying journey is a fantastic motivator. We all like to believe that we can independently change our behavior and overcome distractions, laziness, or discouragement. But while we can do this sometimes, we're all far more likely to succeed with someone else there to step in and help. A friend (or even a shallow acquaintance!) can provide a sounding board for ideas, a kind word of encouragement, or just that simple reminder that nudges us from procrastination into action.
The best part is that it's really easy. All you need is one person willing to send you a text message now and then:
- "Hey, how's your inbox looking this fine Tuesday afternoon?"
- "Did you keep your unread emails under 20 this week?"
- "Have you cleaned up this week's photos yet?"
If a text message seems too impersonal, it could be a phone call, weekly lunch meeting, or whatever fits your schedule and lifestyle. It's a reminder that someone besides you cares about helping you reach your goals. That's a powerful motivator.
I've been on both ends of habit accountability. As a recipient, I saw firsthand how it kept essential things at the front of my mind and gave me a real advantage compared to what I'd been able to do before by myself. As the check-in partner, I witnessed real progress for the other person even while it felt like I was doing virtually nothing--just asking a simple question on a regular basis. The relationship aspect is extremely helpful.
It doesn't mean you'll meet your goals 100% of the time; we all still need help with time management, prioritization, procrastination, and things outside our control. But an accountability partner gives you something else, someone else, to lean on for support when things don't go perfectly.
If you're still feeling more partial to the app-based approach, habit-building apps such as WithPeers leverage more personal accountability by sharing habit statistics among friends. This way, everyone stays aware of how everyone else is doing (or falling behind). But whether you use a friend-centered habit app or simply arrange a weekly text message or two-minute phone call from someone you know, adding that personal relationship element to your habit-building journey can make a tremendous difference.
Even if you primarily rely on routine triggers, sticky notes, or apps, consider including a "habit buddy" to help ensure your success.
Happy data-taming!