Let us get straight to it. Accountability is your Secret Weapon to Success. If you want to grow your business fast – I mean real fast – find someone who will hold you accountable to your goals. Here are some possible scenarios going through your head right now….

I can do it on my own.
I don’t need an accountability buddy.
When I am further down the road, I will consider that.

NO! Stop Now! Find Someone Who Will Hold You Accountable For Your Goals!An accountability buddy is an individual who helps you grow your business by offering guidance and holding you to your commitments. It is similar to a mentor. However, accountability buddies work on bettering their business with feedback and support from each other. Linda Galindo, author of The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success (Jossey-Bass, 2009), says accountability partners are an entrepreneur’s secret weapon for quick growth. “Working with a partner prevents the ready-fire-aim approach that many entrepreneurs use,” she says.
Holding myself accountable to someone transformed my business. It pushed me so much that I was able to increase sales by more than 70% one year. I do not say this lightly…. this is the secret weapon you are looking for to grow your business. How do you find an accountability partner?Look elsewhereAn accountability partner does not have to be someone in your industry. One of the best money producing ideas I ever got for one of my business' came from someone wholly detached from the industry.Look for potential partners at networking events, club meetings, etc. When you find someone from outside your industry, they tend to provide fresh ideas about your business. The main thing you want is someone of character.No FilterThe best quality you will find in an accountability partner – brutal honesty! I don’t mean he/she has to be a jerk. Someone who will tell you like it is. You aren’t looking for a savior or someone who will do it for you. You want someone who will hold you accountable.Know your strengths and weaknesses and find someone who has powers you lack.Be clear about what you expect.From the start set some parameters for this partnership.

When will you meet?
How much time will you spend brainstorming for each other?
How often will you meet?
Will you meet in person, over the phone, Skype, Google Hangout?

Moreover, Most essential, be incredibly bright, if you choose to take your buddy’s advice or decide not to take their advice – you are 100% responsible for your choice.
Agree on the ramificationsThere should be consequences if commitments go uncompleted. Maybe it’s a check for $100, $500 each time someone doesn’t complete a goal. Perhaps it is they have to wear a Wonder Woman costume to lunch one day (it wasn’t pretty). Ramifications kept you motivated and engaged in the process. How do you know if you need an accountability partner? If you are finding a million and one excuses not to do what you say you want to do – is a clear sign. An accountability partner keeps you on track and moving forward.

Money Can’t Buy Happiness But Happy People Make More Money.