Use this checklist before you make a promise to make certain you can keep it…
When did you last make a promise to someone? Did you promise your mate to do a chore? Your child that you would be somewhere at a certain time? Or an employee that you will give him a raise in a few months?
Most people make promises all the time. But how often do you keep your promises?
When you do not keep your promise, you are communicating to someone that you do not value him or her, that you have chosen to put something else in front of him or her. Even breaking small promises communicates to others that they cannot count on you, and our broken promises put cracks into our relationships that can grow and destroy relationships.
When you fail to keep your promise, you are also sending a message to yourself. You are telling yourself you do not value your own word, that is okay to let someone down. It is the same thing as disrespecting yourself and can harm your self-image, self-esteem, and your life.
If you struggle to keep your promises, you might want to ask yourself these questions before you make another promise.
What is my motivation in making this promise?
Be honest with yourself before you commit to something. If you are making a commitment just to get someone to like you, perhaps you are doing it for the wrong reason. But if you are committing to help someone else, you are committing for a good reason.
Am I being realistic?
Consider your schedule and ask yourself if you can keep this promise. It is better to under commit and over deliver than to over promise and fall short.
Set appropriate expectations. Instead of promising to help your neighbor you will help him with a project on a day you know you will be busy, perhaps you could say you will do your best but you are very busy that day. People respect honesty even when the answer is not exactly what they want to hear.
It is important for me to make this promise?
We all have had someone in our life who looks us in the eyes, makes a promise, and then does not deliver. We all know how frustrating this is! So do not be the person who does this to others!
Consider if you need to make this promise or not before you make it. Make it only if you really need to do so or if it is absolutely important to the other person. Otherwise, just say that you will do your best to do whatever someone needs you to do.
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Keeping these things in mind helps you manage your commitments effectively. Managing your commitments effectively helps you as well as others feel good about you as a person.
I made a promise to my Grandma that I am doing my best to keep every day of my life. When she was on her death bed, I promised her I would continue to spread her message of faith, hope, love, and encouragement as far as I possibly can. And I try to do this every day of my life every chance I get. Working hard every day of my life to keep this promise helps me to feel good about my life and who I am.
Keep your commitments!
Let the encouraging words in these near a river posts help you
soar like an eagle above life’s storms.
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