Zapping While Zooming: How an Accountability Buddy Will Supercharge Your Productivity
A while ago, client of mine wanted to zap his well-overdue life admin and was exploring approaches which had worked well for him in the past.
Working his recollections he developed his own version of an accountability check-in. It works like this; he has a regular weekly appointment with a friend (who can’t bear paperwork either!). The appointment is for the length of a free zoom (40 minutes) during their lunch break on Thursdays.
This suits them both and they guard this time jealously. They use the chat function to share their rough to-do lists do all they can to avoid distracting each other (this is the tricky bit, given they both have a visual sense of humour!).
The paperwork gets done and it works like magic! But why should this be, and how could you use these hacks to your advantage?
1. By planning the time and duration beforehand
One of the reasons we procrastinate is because we perceive the cost and benefits of a future event as less significant than those in the present. How often do you imagine you will be better prepared for a task if it’s going to happen next week rather than today? This is known as ‘future discounting’.
By having a fixed and regular date in the future, anxiety is lessened as we feel jobs will be easier by then. Another benefit of agreed and regular appointments is they are just that – agreed! No need to get the diary out and find a date that suits you both. By using technology, nothing could be simpler than creating a repeated appointment!
2. By defining their method
Known as intention implementation, deciding beforehand how to settle down increases their chances of success.
3. By using the motivator of social pressure
Research shows that simply being in the presence of another can increase productivity by 16% to 32%. Sharing an intention will enhance both implicit (from within) and explicit (from others) motivation. It also triggers mirror neurons in the brain, which cause us to mirror the feelings of those around us, designed to help us fit in and be perceived as part of our community.
4. By taking responsibility for their part in the plan
No-one would choose to let anyone else down. By agreeing to meet regularly, and behave responsibly, both friends are supporting each other to succeed.
5. By being specific about their goals
A colleague of mine makes the distinction between a ‘to-do’ list and a ‘wish list’. Here’s an example of what she means: If we mindlessly jot ‘Get Amazon refund’ on a list, we’re unlikely to get started. It simply describes an intention. Instead, if we identify the first tiny step and write that down instead, we’d be more likely to succeed. ‘Get out the packaging for Amazon return’ subtly gets us started.
6. Don’t forget ChatGPT and Focusmate
My client and his accountability buddy have now developed the system to include AI. If either of them can’t make the weekly date, they agree that they’ll use ChatGPT instead as their accountability partner. According to research, an AI “double” gives the same boost. Even better, they use www.focusmate.com, which I would always heartily recommend.
Updated September 2025 to keep links and resources fresh.
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References
Social Pressure: Falk, Armin; Ichino, Andrea (January 2006), "Clean Evidence on Peer Effects". Journal of Labor Economics, Vol. 24, No. 1 , pp. 39-57. (link)
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