The other day, with a few minutes to spare before I had to go back uptown, my blogger friend Anita and I were sitting on a bench between the uptown and downtown traffic on Broadway at 86th Street. I would often pass these random benches and think, “who the hell would want to relax in the middle of Broadway?” I had my answer–two friends with ten minutes to kill while drinking iced tea. Once again, we were wistfully cataloguing the projects we wanted to finish and berating ourselves for our lack of focus and discipline.
Back when we both worked in Midtown, Anita and I used to catch up over a scone at Amy’s Bread each Friday. I suggested we reinstate this ritual. I thought, beyond just catching up, we could ask each other the question, “What are you going to get done for next week?” But, because Anita and I are ruthlessly honest with each other (she’s the best person to take shopping), I slanged it up: “What are you gonna do for next week, BITCH?” Then I thought about the other women in my life, who, after the obligations of work and family, rarely have enough time to devote to their own personal projects. What if we all got together (in person or online) for a weekly check-in? I was beginning to like this accountability buddy idea. Accountabilibitches!
What are you going to do for next week is not a resolution–it is setting an intention for action. Next week is less daunting then a nebulous “soon” or an impossible “next year” resolution. Next week is doable. In one week, I could go to the gym twice. I could write one blog post. I could cook one dinner from scratch. I could read one book. I could watch one tutorial on YouTube. With a little help from my friends, I think I could keep a promise to my next week’s self.
Even my mom loves this idea. To soften the edges of its name, I suggested she call her group accountabilibiddies.
What are YOU gonna do for next week?
this gruntled worker 