Consider the cost of keeping a promise before making it.
You want people to know that when you say you will do something, you do it.
Some people don’t have any intention of keeping promises when they make some of them.
Others are just too optimistic and like to say they will be helpful, with the best intentions, but they promise too much.
Some promises take 3 minutes – “I promise I will take the garbage out”.
Some are long-term commitments – “I will homeschool my children” or “I will serve on the board of directors for your organization”.
Will the feeling and motivation you made your promise in run out before the promise is fulfilled? Probably. Then it’s about discipline.
Making promises and keeping them is a highly respected and valued thing in the world.
So that your word is gold, consider the time and energy cost of keeping a promise before making it.
As Zig Ziglar said, “When you make a promise, keep it.” When you do, you learn to respect the value of a promise, and others will learn to respect the value of yours.
Excellent advice. Barring life or death emergencies, it’s far better to keep your commitments. Even if you regret making them or change your mind later, it’s much more important to keep your word than to try and weasel out of it. Make notes, even on the small things you say you’ll do, and follow up/ follow through. Just doing that alone will set you apart from the herd.