Accountabilibuddy

It doesn’t really matter whether I do my creative work today. It probably doesn’t really matter whether I do it tomorrow either, or the day after. As long as I meet any deadlines, and there aren’t many of those, I can drift along with few consequences. I’m not saying I LIKE that state, AT ALL (capitals AND underlining!). It’s certainly not one that inspires the soul. It does happen, though.

Maybe you’re the same with your creative work, or any other thing of importance for you that you undertake. It is very easy to let it waft about or get left behind when no-one is looking over your shoulder.

And that’s why Cat Rose, in her book The Creative Introvert …, talks about accountability. Sounds like a serious word. But, in a gentle twist, she suggests enlisting the assistance of an “accountabilibuddy”: someone to, literally, hold you to account who also fits into the role of a buddy – a friend, supporter, fellow creative or whoever. Maybe you could find someone and be mutual accountabilibuddies.

I must confess, I do just like saying the word – accountabilibuddy. It rolls off the tongue beautifully! But, like all the good words, it also contains a great idea. It’s a bit scary, suddenly leaping into being held to account, even in the most undemanding of ways, but maybe even the expectation of reporting in on, say, ten minutes, three times a week (or whatever suits your situation) is enough to get us all started. And, as we know, once we get started amazing things can happen!

Here’s to buddies.

Kirsten