Doctors News Hubb
Advertisement Banner
  • Home
  • News
  • Healthcare
  • Public Health
  • Paramedic
  • Nursing
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Healthcare
  • Public Health
  • Paramedic
  • Nursing
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Doctors News Hubb
No Result
View All Result
Home Public Health

How freelancers can find and keep accountability partners

admin by admin
May 11, 2023
in Public Health


Barbara Mantel

About Barbara Mantel

Barbara Mantel (@BJMantel), an independent journalist, is AHCJ’s freelance community correspondent. Her work has appeared in CQ Researcher, Rural Health Quarterly, Undark, Healthline, NBCNews.com and NPR, among others. She helps members find the resources they need to succeed as freelancers and welcomes your suggestions.

Photo by Christina Morillo via pexels

This year, I found an accountability partner to help me meet writing deadlines, increase the rate at which I pitch ideas to editors and guide me through tough decisions. AHCJ core topic leader for infectious diseases Bara Vaida and I have been meeting over Zoom once a month, and I believe the relationship is already yielding benefits. I recently decided to stop working for a publication for which I have been a contributing writer for decades — the 12,000-word articles had become too burdensome — and Bara’s feedback and support were crucial.

I also have a more spur-of-the-moment accountability partner in freelance journalist Melba Newsome. We call and text each other when we hit writing roadblocks, need pitching advice or want to blow off steam.

I am not the only AHCJ member who has found value in having an accountability partner. “For me, working with an accountability partner has helped me through the rough spots when my personal life has been challenging,” said AHCJ board member and freelance journalist Jeanne Erdmann. “Knowing that I had a deadline to finish a pitch by a scheduled meet-up helped keep my career on track. Plus, the friendships you build and deepen through this process give you a larger safety net.”

Last September, AHCJ’s monthly Lunch and Learn video chat for freelancers focused on finding and keeping accountability partners. Recently, I wrote a tip sheet to guide members who would like to explore such a relationship. 

Here are a few key points from that tip sheet.

What is an accountability partner?

According to the employment Indeed, accountability partners typically:

  • Meet regularly.
  • Listen and offer one another advice.
  • Offer support in difficult situations.
  • Remind one another of important deadlines.
  • Point out self-defeating behaviors.

Characteristics of an effective accountability partner

Partners should be someone who:

  • Meets deadlines by showing up for meetings and taking goal setting seriously.
  • Is trustworthy and will keep confidences.
  • Inspires respect so that you will not want to disappoint them.
  • Provides honest feedback with kindness.
  • Is positive and encouraging and wants you to succeed.
  • Is curious and open-minded and interested in learning and growing.
  • Is flexible.

Maintaining the partnership

Dos:

  • Show up, don’t cancel.
  • Accept your partner’s feedback.
  • Take the partnership seriously and try hard to meet the goals set in your meetings.

Don’ts:

  • Only focus on your writing and your problems.
  • Get sidetracked into talking at length about personal matters.
  • Shame your accountability partner if they don’t meet their goals.
  • Focus only on your goals and writing.

The tip sheet offers further suggestions for structuring regular meetings with your accountability partner, setting the parameters at the very beginning of the relationship, and finding an accountability partner in the first place.

Barbara Mantel (@BJMantel), an independent journalist, is AHCJ’s freelance community correspondent. Her work has appeared in CQ Researcher, Rural Health Quarterly, Undark, Healthline, NBCNews.com and NPR, among others. She helps members find the resources they need to succeed as freelancers and welcomes your suggestions.





Source link

Advertisement Banner
Previous Post

Ochsner Health layoffs: 2% of workforce cut

Next Post

Medical Fiction: The Gender Reveal

Related Posts

Public Health

Medication errors are common. Here’s how to hold the system accountable

May 31, 2023
Public Health

Telehealth could help combat infectious diseases clinician shortage

May 30, 2023
Public Health

A typical workday for freelancer Melba Newsome

May 27, 2023
Public Health

Study: High blood pressure in your 30s may mean poorer brain health in your 70s

May 26, 2023
Public Health

Journalism fellowships to help support environmental health coverage

May 25, 2023
Public Health

Covering abortion as a health care issue in all its complexity, politics aside

May 24, 2023
Next Post

Medical Fiction: The Gender Reveal

Recommended

Tips for finding great interview subjects on social media 

6 months ago

Spironolactone may be effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris

5 days ago

Lower Academic Achievement at Age 12 is Associated with Preterm Birth

5 months ago

A COVID-19 vaccine exemption letter – The Health Care Blog

3 months ago

DEA: Truepill wrongfully filled prescriptions for stimulants

6 months ago

© Doctors News Hubb All rights reserved.

Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement unless specified. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • News
  • Healthcare
  • Public Health
  • Paramedic
  • Nursing
  • Contact Us

Newsletter Sign Up.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Healthcare
  • Public Health
  • Paramedic
  • Nursing
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Doctors News Hubb All rights reserved.