For most of us, making the commitment to follow our career dreams is a challenge. There are so many ups and downs on the path and unforeseen obstacles (that seem to pop up out of nowhere) are to be expected!!!
Don’t panic…there are some things you can do to help ease your way into the career of your dreams. The best advice I ever received was to get myself an accountability partner and I’m so glad that I listened. Here are 3 reasons that you should consider getting an accountability partner too…
Making A Career Transition Can Be An Emotional Journey
Believe it or not following your dreams can be a lonely journey. People won’t understand why you don’t just get a “regular job.” People won’t understand why you’re spending so much time on your laptop. People won’t understand why you can’t hang out with them as much. And people won’t understand why you’ll have moments when you feel completely emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally DRAINED.
When you have a dream-chasing buddy you can touch base with on a regular basis, you’ll have someone who understands your challenges and someone who can help keep you motivated when times get tough. It’s always nice to feel understood and if your accountability partner is also on their own entrepreneurial path, you’ll have someone in your life that can relate to you. What’s better than that???
Sometimes You Need A Motivational Push
One of the coolest aspects of having someone who can support you through your career transition is that you can constantly push each other to do bigger and better things. My dream cheerleader (who I now consider a close friend) and I set up mini bootcamps and inspire each other to reach for new goals throughout the year. I love that!! It helps us get more done in a short period of time and it forces me to step out of my comfort zone. It helps to have someone outside of your business to help you figure out awesome ways to help it grow…because they’re disconnected from your biz, they can offer you a unique bird’s eye view to help point you in the right direction.
You Guys Can Offer Each Other Business Support That Only Another Dream-chaser Would Know Was Needed.
When you’re growing your business, things like social media shares, blog post shares, site traffic, and getting the word out about your biz become super important. The things is, our family and friends just don’t get it. When you have a business support person in your life, not only do they get it, but they’ll be able to offer you the support you need to continue to grow your business…and you can do the same for them. You know what they say…You know someone is a true friend when they share your blog posts!!!
Well, hopefully you can see the value of having an accountability partner in your life while you chase your dreams. The extra support, the advice, and the motivation will help you reach your goals. Besides, it never hurts to have an extra shoulder to lean on. Do you have an accountability partner?
“a dream-chasing buddy”- what a fantastic concept!
So many people’s friends and family simply just don’t get it!
I have a few people who inspire me but this post has certainly inspired me to formalise this and I know just the person…
Thanks for posting- really enjoyed this!
Glad you enjoyed it:)
These are great points! I love your quote about knowing you have a good friend if they share your blog posts. Isn’t that the truth 😉
It sure is!!!
I don’t know if I have an accountability partner in my career, but I think it’s good to have one for just about everything! My sister is there for me in my weight loss journey, and I have gotten a lot more focused and motivated about blogging when my coworker started a blog. I guess my husband is there for the rest!
It really is:)
I think an Accountability partner works in all areas of life. When I was working, we had a little Weight Watchers group and one day I was at the vending machine and one my AP said, “what are you doing?” LoL and I said .. n o t h i n g. So her que kept me away from a bad snack.
Although I don’t miss the corporate world, I do miss not having a AP to bounce ideas off of 🙂
Monica.
That’s awesome!!! It helps a ton.
You are SO right! An accountability partner is essential when chasing those career dreams! I wish I had one when I left the corporate world! 🙂
Thanks!!! Glad you found this helpful.
My accountability partner is more like a network. I’ve been apart of two local blogger groups that have helped me grow my blog. We have meet-ups, and some of these ladies have become good friends. You need that motivation and guidance.
Networks work!!! I’m part of a few online blogging groups and they’re super supportive.
Its a very lonely job… writing and editing… by myself. 🙂 An accountability partner sounds perfect, not only with job but with physical well-being too! Great post.
I totally agree!!!
What a fabulous idea. It is so true that most people just don’t understand what you are feeling and it can be very lonely.
It can be hard to get yourself motivated but having that kind of support is enough to get you over the hump.
Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome!!! Glad you found it helpful:)
I belong to some blogger support groups but I don’t really have a designated “accountability partner.”
Blogger support groups can be amazing if it’s a good group of supportive people.
So true, I couldn’t agree more. I believe it is important to have someone you can rely on during the hard times and on the same time get some motivational push. I actually have many accountability partners such as my husband and other family members.
Awesome!!! Yeah my husband is also my accountability partner (not sure if he knows it yet!!!!).
I don’t have an accountability partner, but it sounds like a neat idea. I can definitely understand the benefits you’ve laid out. Did you know this person beforehand? Are they further along than you and like a mentor or are you going through the same stages together?
No..we met at an online business conference. She started her journey about 2 years before me. We help to keep each other inspired and brainstorm ideas with each other.
This is a fantastic article. I think sometimes we forget how draining and stressful life can be sometimes… it was an important reminder for me right now 🙂
Thanks!!! I’m glad you liked it:)
I have accountablilty partners in fitness. They keep me on track and together, we motivate one another to push on!
I plan on joining or creating a mastermind group soon enough to give myself accountability. Great points.
Thanks!!! I’m glad you found them useful.
A very good point.
I always wish I could meet someone similar to myself.
As you mentioned, the likes of social media / blogging is extremely useful. I have really moved forward with this in the last couple of months.
Thanks!!! Yeah it really helps:)
I think this is an excellent article and should be applied more than just to those changing careers. I want, actually probably NEED an accountability partner in the various things I am trying to to accomplish my goals in life. Great motivating article for me to find one.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Thanks!!! I’m glad you found it helpful. It definitely works for every area of your life.
Excellent idea!
Thanks!!!
Great points. Anytime we change, having an accountability partner is helpful. Thank you!
You’re welcome!!!
An accountability partner or an AP, as I call mine, is essential. I don’t have one for my career but in fitness. My AP is pretty cool and we talk often. It has been helpful in training for a half marathon and now in this endeavor to competing in my first figure bodybuilding competition this fall.
Good luck with your competition!!!!
I don’t really have an accountability partner anymore but I use to and it was so very helpful. I guess I consider my husband one at this point in my life. I could really use one in helping me get healthier.
It’s great that your husband helps you:)
Having someone who gets the emotional toll is so important. It can be very draining.
Yeah…it takes a ton of energy to build a business by yourself, so it’s nice to have someone who understands.
I got lucky and surround myself with a lot of creative people.As a side gig I teach a blogging workshop and meet a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs.They start off as students but end up as friends we motivate each other consistently and I agree everyone needs people like this in their lives
https://sheismelrose.net/
That’s awesome!!!
I’ve chosen to have multiple accountability partners. Just one person didn’t work. And honestly, finding someone that was more of a coach worked better.
But I do have an accountability group that I started that has been really helpful.
That’s a good idea. I had an accountability group at one point, but it didn’t work out.
Yes, my partner is my daughter! I had her when I was 22 (I am not 51 and she is almost 29), and every time I need support, advise or that push, she is always there for me! I feel very blessed to have her in my life! Thank you for the great post!
You’re welcome!!!
I have been on the search lately for accountability partners in the various areas of my life and jobs. I am not good on staying on top of my own self and often get lost, so a partner would help keep me motivated!
Hope you find someone soon:)
You are totally right about making a career transition can be an emotional journey. Thanks for share!
It sure is!! You’re welcome:)
I have an accountability partner and it’s been great. It helps me stay on track with what I’m doing so that I keep the momentum up.
The one downside (that’s also a positive) is that I’m constantly reviewing my goals and pushing myself to work outside the box. That seems to be what I need to do to reach my goals, but it’s very uncomfortable.
I can understand that!!! It’s the story of my life as well.
I really do like this article. I have had the biggest struggle when I moved from being a teacher to the medical field.
I obviously picked the wrong time because Obamacare became the law of the land I have been laid-off three times. I have wasted thousands on school because of this.
However, this article taught me that the medical field is probably not my career of choice. I have a friend, who is a huge support, to come stay with me so we can work to find something we both can do from home.
Thanks!!! Good luck with your career transition:)
Dream chasing buddy sounds so much more appealing than accountability partner! Plus, for me it’s all about support and connection than true accountability because I’m already hard enough on myself on my own! I more need a “you didn’t get it all done on the first day and that’s okay” sort of buddy! Haha. 🙂
Yeah…I prefer someone who is more of a support person than a drill sergeant too.
Great ideas! I love the idea of the dream chasing buddy. It sounds more fun than an accountability buddy.
Yes!!! Doesn’t it sound fun!!!
I don’t have an accountability partner but it sounds like a great idea!! How did you find yours? I wouldn’t even know how to find one since none of my current friends/family do blogging..good article!
I actually met mine at an online business conference. We clicked immediately and have been friends for 3 years now:)
I do have a partner, any big change, career or otherwise, can be challenging, and it’s comforting and reassuring to know you have someone behind you to help you keep pushing forward.
Yeah…it’s nice to have someone in help motivate you and push you forward.
This is such a smart idea! I love my friends and family dearly, but many of them just aren’t ambitious types. I need to find someone on my level!
You should do it…it definitely helps:)
I agree. Having a accountability partner has been of great help to me in growing my business. Even in my personal life too.
That’s good to hear:)
I need a dream chasing buddy, I love that Idea and after reading this i know just the person .
Yaaaa!!! I’m glad this inspired you.
I couldn’t agree more “…following your dreams can be a lonely journey” – but they are your dreams! I don’t think it matters if people don’t understand – you keep pushing on!
Exactly!!!
Great idea about the accountability partner, works well for all aspects of life!
It sure does!!! I had a fitness accountability partner for a while & it was super helpful.
What a fabulous idea! I have accountability partners for other parts of my life and they make an undeniable difference. I can’t believe I never thought of having a dream-chasing buddy! Thanks so much for sharing this great idea. Best wishes to you!
You’re welcome!!!
I am lucky to have gone to a very supportive graduate school. I left with lots of friends. We still keep in touch, and are each others’ cheering section. So, in a way, also accountability partners 🙂
That’s awesome:) It always helps to have supportive people in your circle.
A friend of mine (and fellow blogger) and I hold each other accountable with blogging, money, and life in general. We bounce ideas off of each other, brainstorm, and vent. It’s great! She’s been one of my biggest supporters and encourages me when I feel like no one else “gets me.” Thanks for an inspirational post! ~Adrienne
That’s awesome!!! I have a friend like that too & it makes a huge difference.
I love the concept of a dream chasing buddy! Having someone else who understands our frustrations, but can still help hold us accountable can make a huge impact on whether or not we reach our goals.
Thanks!!! Yeah…it really helps.
I agree on having an accountability partner and I do. I just need to ask for a few tweaks, which should be easy to do. And yes, for people not in our business world, it’s hard to understand blogging, posts, social media, etc…thank you for this post. I appreciate it.
You’re welcome:) Glad you found it helpful!!