Accountability Counts
by Kelly Huckaby

When I first began writing I knew I needed to find a writers' group. As a young mother, my free time was very limited, so I checked the Internet. Joining an online group helped me learn about all the ins-and-outs of writing and publishing, yet I felt I needed something more. Maybe I need a critique group, I thought, or an in-person group. I checked out a local group that met once a month, but family obligations conflicted with meeting times. I checked out an online critique group, but that required too much reading and editing and left me no time for my own writing. I needed something else, but I wasn’t sure what.

Then one day a friend suggested that we keep each other accountable to our professional goals through email. That was it! Accountability! Goals! That's what I was looking for. My friend and I discussed our needs as professionals, and our obligations as mothers. What if either of us had to be away from our computer? How would we keep the accountability going? The solution: invite more people to our "group." Then, if any one person was unavailable, those remaining could still keep each other accountable. We asked two other writers to join us.
 

Our group has been together for about 10 years now, and we've added a fifth member to our ranks. We've become very close-knit, and rely on each other for professional and personal support. I believe there are a few key ingredients that have made our group so successful.

1) Size. A small group allows members to get to know each other. An accountability group is not designed to add a bunch of emails to an already full inbox. You need enough people to keep you on track as a group, but not so many that messages become a burden to already-busy members.

2) Prayer. Although accountability, encouragement and support are the main functions, prayer support is also an asset. Remember to pray for your group members, and ask them to pray for you as well.

3) Email. Using email as the main mode of communication allows members to work around their personal schedules. Instant messaging is nice when possible, but can put a strain on members in different time zones.

4) Compassion. Ours is a "no pressure" group. The group is not to be a burden to anyone. Our members understand there is more to life than writing. Family vacations, illnesses, church obligations... those are just a few of the things that may keep a member from posting each week. Since life happens to all of us, we patiently wait for busy members to check-in when they can. No one is required to reply to every message. 

5) Commitment. Being accountable to partners means making a commitment to them. They won't know you're writing if you don't tell them. If one member doesn't post goals for an extended period of time, send a personal email to check on them. Encourage them, pray for them (see point #2), and then wait (see point #4).
 

More Tips

Keep it Simple
Rather than rely on your email program to create a list of member addresses, use Yahoo!Groups (or similar listserv) for your accountability group. An added perk is the ability to set yourself to "no mail" if you need to be away from your computer. When you return, all the messages are waiting at Yahoo!Groups instead of over-running your email inbox.

Keep it Short
Writers can be wordy (go on, admit it!). Avoid the temptation to write more than what's required or needed. Keep your goals posts short and to the point.

Keep it Separate
Once you get to know your fellow accountability partners better you'll probably start posting non-goal posts during the week. That's okay if fellow group members don't mind. Be sure to use succinct subject lines, so other members know why you're posting during the week. But, keep those separate from your goal-related posts.

6) Guidelines. Set a few simple guidelines to keep members on track:

• Post goals for the week on Monday morning. If you know your week will be busy, post on Sunday night before bed.
   
• Keep goals short and to the point, like a to-do list.
   
• Set realistic goals. Being accountable shouldn't set you up for failure. We've found that, depending on the goals, having three to six each week is ideal. If you usually set four goals and only meet three, it's time to start setting only three.
   
• Re-evaluate goals. Unmet goals should be reposted, or re-evaluated. Consistently unmet goals should be broken down into smaller steps. There is always a way to accomplish what needs to be done!
   
• Remain purpose-driven. Mid-week encouraging notes are nice, but not required. As mentioned before, an accountability group should not become a burden by causing excess email. Include your praises and accomplishments from the past week with your Monday goals.

I like to use a specific format when I post my goals for the week. You may find another way that works better for you, but try this format if you're just starting a group:

PRAISES
Start by focusing on what God has done for you. What better place to start than with God?! Thank Him for what He's done for you this past week: the doors He's opened, the words He's given you, the health He's given your family, etc.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
This is where you list the goals that you've accomplished from the previous week. It can be as simple as restating your goals and then writing "DONE" after each one.

GOALS
List your goals. Feel free to number them so you can see at a glance how many things you desire to get done that week. Order them by priority, or as you think of them—how you list them doesn't really matter. Just list them!

PRAYERS
End your message the same way you started it: by focusing on God. There are so many things in life that are beyond our control, yet they cut into our writing time. Place these items at the Lord's feet, and ask your accountability partners to join you in prayer. Pray for creativity, for God's words, for writing time, etc.

Accountability works both ways. Whoever holds you accountable is also accountable to you, therefore respect is necessary for a group like this. Used wisely, an accountability group benefits all members as each receives needed encouragement to meet personal and professional goals while glorifying God through balanced lives.