Accountable

As Christians and friends, we are called to hold each other accountable. I’ve always had a positive view of accountability, but I’ve realized that many have a negative association with this word. I view accountability as helping someone achieve a goal they have set for themselves. That’s a positive thing!

A month or so ago I asked you to hold me accountable to reach one of my goals – learning to play the cello. I’ve wanted to play the cello for several years now, but hadn’t taken any steps to achieve that goal.

At Youth this week, I walked us through how I describe goals to someone I want to hold me accountable to achieve it. Several of you provided your goals and tasked us with holding you accountable. All the goals we discussed had a deadline of the end of the year. I didn’t ask for your permission to share them here, so I’ll share my own goal as the example of the questions we asked each other.

What is the Goal: To begin learning to play the cello by the end of the year.

What does success look like? I’m taking lessons, practicing frequently, and learning the fundamentals of the instrument.

Is this goal part of a larger goal? Yes, I’d like to play the cello at an intermediate level, which I assume will take 3-5 years to achieve.

Why are you motivated to do this? I love the tone and expressiveness of the cello. What I enjoy most about playing the piano is the ability to be expressive in how I play – to play music rather than notes. I believe the cello will provide an even broader ability to be expressive. I’d like to be proficient enough to accompany or play solos at church, and for my own personal enjoyment. I pray through the piano almost daily, I’d like to be able to do the same with the cello someday.

What obstacles do you expect and how do you plan to address them? 1) Finding a teacher – I know the first cellist in the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and people who play other instruments in the Manchester Philharmonic so I’ll start with them and see if they know of instructors. 2) Finding a cello – cellos aren’t cheap, and I want a cello that could be sufficient until I reach an intermediate level, so ideally I could find and afford one that is a higher quality than a beginner / student instrument. I’ll look for a used instrument and utilize money already budgeted as “fun money”. 3) I will get frustrated being inept at playing the cello. I like to do things well, and it will take a long time to be able to play the cello well – so I’ll get frustrated and discouraged. I’ll try to remind myself of the end goal and find ways to enjoy the act of learning rather than being frustrated by it, and will celebrate small victories / improvements. 4) Making time to practice. I will not take on any additional, consistent commitments for the next year (serving on new boards, tackling another new hobby / interest, etc.).

How can we assist you in achieving this goal? Ask me about my progress, if I’m frustrated remind me about my motivation, let me know you remember – text me when you hear a cello piece that inspires you, etc.

If you’re falling behind on your goal, how can we help re-motivate you? Remind me of my commitment, I don’t like letting people down, so remind me that I told you I was going to do this. Make me text you a weekly progress report – if I know I have to text you how many hours I practiced this week, I’ll practice more.

Are you willing to commit to this goal, and do you want us to hold you accountable for achieving it? Yes, and thank you.

How will you celebrate achieving this goal? Ordering a chocolate silk peanut butter pie from Nordmann’s Nook.

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Thank you for sharing your goals with us on Sunday – we’ll do our part to hold you accountable. If you weren’t at Youth last week, but want to share a goal you want to be held accountable for, please do. It’s another great way we can support each other with spiritual or other goals.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!  Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?  And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12