Accountability

43 things is a social networking site with a difference. Users can enter up to 43 things they want to do, aspirations vary from learning to whistle with my fingers to having better posture to falling in love. The site then offers to send you a reminder in a week, a month or six months for each goal to see how you are getting on.

Goals are public (mine are here- not 43 yet) and other users can add tags, make the goal there own or just cheer the other people on. If they have achieved one of someone else's goals they can say so, and offer advice. It's great, a huge virtual community of cheering supporters!

One of our key values at St Tom's is accountability. It's funny when some people hear that word their brain gets confused and overlays it with "control". Real accountability has nothing to do with control though, rather it is about sharing with others what God has been saying to you and how you are going to respond. It is asking someone to hold you to your goals, and to cheer you on. Real accountability helps you change, and grow. It's great to know that there are two or three people who know pretty much everything about me, my best bits and my bad bits, the things I want to change and the goals I want to achieve. Its even better to know that they love me and are cheering me on. I'm very grateful for them.

So I love 43 things and especially enjoy using up my allowance of cheers. But love real, face to face, accountability even more. It may not always be pleasant, it might make me feel vulnerable, but it's great!
Related Tags: 43 things, accountability, social networking, church, St Toms