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Setting goals is one thing. Achieving them is quite another. Too often we allow procrastination, conflicting priorities or fear of the unknown become a barrier to reaching a worthwhile goal.

One way to overcome this problem is to enlist the aid of an accountability partner. While it's common to hire an accountability partner such as a personal trainer or a life coach a "free" accountability partnership can be just as effective.

You should keep the following factors in mind when forming an accountability partnership:

• Choose wisely. Your partner must be as goal-oriented as you are.
• Commit to meeting regularly. Once a week is ideal in most cases, and while in-person meetings are preferable meeting by phone or virtually on the internet will also work.
• Focus on specific, time-limited goals. Attempting to work without a time frame can cause you to lose focus and interest.
• Follow an agenda. Your meetings must focus on what each of you did (or didn't) do towards reaching your goals and what your plans are for the following week.
• Demand accountability. Brutal honesty is a must. Each of you must be willing to respond with a firm kick to the rear if your partner is procrastinating or using other delaying tactics.
• Celebrate Success. Provide positive feedback as your partner makes positive progress towards reaching his or her goal.

An accountability partner should be a central figure on your personal team. An accountability partnership will make a profound difference as you strive to reach your goals. Plus, it will give you the opportunity to make the same profound difference in your partner's journey to success.

You win and your partner wins. What's not to like about that?