My New Experiment: The Accountability Group

I tend to come up with really crazy ideas when I’m up late at night (i.e. nearly every night).  Anyway, I just sent this email (see below) to a group of colleagues and friends.

Implement at your own risk . . .

Dear Friends,

You guys are all people I respect, trust, and admire (and you’re all entrepreneurs who work full-time from home).  So I want to invite you to join a private accountability group that I’m starting.

Before I get into "the rules," I want to let you know that I won’t be hurt, offended, etc. if you decide not to participate.  What I’m about to propose is a little radical, and I don’t expect everyone to want to participate.

The Back Story:

In the next 1.5 years I want to achieve a very specific goal.   So I decided to create an accountability group (kind of like a mastermind group) to help me accomplish this goal, and to help us accomplish our respective business goals.

Here’s how the accountability group would work:

  • We would meet once per week, via a skype conference call at a mutually agreed-upon time that stays consistent from week to week
  • During each phone call, you must commit to completing at least one high-leverage task that will put you closer to your business goal.
  • We’re all encouraged to consult the group for advise on what the highest-leverage task might be for our given goal (there are some VERY talented and successful people who’ve been emailed about this)
  • The completion of the task(s) you commit to must be provable (i.e. the nature of the task must be such that you can "prove" you finished it during our next meeting).
  • In order to participate, you must put $1k into the group’s paypal account.  If you do not complete the task(s) (that you agreed to) from the previous week, your $1k is donated to a charity of your choice.  If you lose your $1k and wish to stay in the group, you must replace your original $1k.
  • The PayPal account will be controlled by a treasurer who we will jointly appoint.  I will not be the treasurer.
  • If you decide to participate, you must participate for at least 3 months, after which time you can chose to remove your $1k and leave the group at any time.
  • Participants must be "on time" for at least 3 out of every 4 phone calls.  If you’re not on time for at least 3 out of every 4 calls, you forfeit your spot in the group and your $1k.
  • You must be on time for the group’s first 3 calls.
  • You are allowed to be "absent" for the phone call for which you’re late
  • All of these rules, of course apply to me

I honestly don’t know how many people will be game for this, but I know that this kind of group would really help me.  The stakes are high, but that’s a good thing in my opinion.

–Clay Collins

 

I’ll let you know if this group parts me with my $1k.

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  • Clay, I admire your crazy brilliance. It is inspiring. Rock on.
  • Wow, this group is just what I needed a few months ago. $1k is enough to make it hurt if you don't reach your goal. I do hope this group is a reality and not an April 1 joke.
  • jenna
    Here's an idea. One of my professors did this so she would finish her doctorate. She set aside a certain amount of money, for instance $1000. She set up a timetable of when she would have what done (e.g. rough draft by such-&-such a date). If she didn't get it done on time, $100 would be given to her *least* favorite charity (e.g. The 'pedophiles who also torture bunnies' charity). She enlisted a friend to hang onto her $1000 so that the money would actually go to the hated charity and she wouldn't back out.
  • Paul Gillespie
    Crazy stuff - in a good way.


    It's amazing what putting hard-earned money on the line will accomplish. Ask someone if they'll buy something and they'll tell you yes - ask them to buy and you'll probably get a totally different answer. (I think I read that in the Four Hour Workweek)
  • WOW Clay, it's going to take some stones!! I like it, your own money is one of the best motivators!


    Luke
  • That's an interesting angle Clay. Let us know how it turns out.
  • this is great - i have an accountability partner and am in a mastermind group but this is unique and ups the ante. if you are serious about the work and attaining your goals - i can see how this would not only work, but keep you on your toes and focused. i like it!
  • This is quite an intense accountability group. Good luck!
  • Tracy
    This is a great idea. I'll be so curious to see how this plays out. I'd be game, except I have a day job =(. So that means I've got to start putting my goals on the line somehow so that I'm sans day job soon. Wonderful idea Clay.
  • Laurel
    Can't help but notice the date on this post. It is a good idea though - charities can always use extra cash :)
  • A.M.
    Hi Clay!


    Good idea, but I remember Leo Babauta of Zen Habits doing something similar for New Year's resolutions. It wasn't as involved as Skype or phone calls, but it was related to accountability for goals/resolutions that people were setting as part of his forum. Maybe you know about it already -- just thought I would bring it up in case you would find it useful, or would want to avoid any duplication.



    Liberate on, my friend!
  • I want to do this, but I'm too scared. (Seriously.) You certainly do have some good ideas Clay.
  • I want to do this.... but I'm too scared! :-) Seriously. This is gutsy stuff.
  • jarkkolaine
    I love this! It's a great idea to have a master mind group, and having to fear losing your $1000 is a great motivator for getting things done!
  • I'll be curious to see how this plays out, using both peer pressure and fiscal accountability. And what quorum you need for it to be effective...
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