Our words are powerful. Though actions speak louder than words, it’s words that get the ball moving. Words lead to actions. Because of that, it’s critical to be careful about what we say.
A great example of this is the promise. Sometimes we we make promises, and it puts our very relationships in jeopardy.
It is built in our very nature to follow through. So when something comes out of your mouth you are more inclined to stay true to the words. This can be very risky. We need to tame the words that we say.
In this episode
- Why you may want to refrain from making promises
- How speaking thoughts motivates us
- How to deal with unresolved commitments
References
Quote: “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” ~ Jesus (Sermon on the Mount)
Other episodes in the Complete Alignment series
- How to Eliminate Stress (and cognitive dissonance)
- How Beliefs Affect Reality
- Why Think Before You Speak
Promises Suck
Let’s face the brutal fact that promises suck. They put us in binds. However, they are a part of life. When you think about it, they aren’t really needed if you are able to just let your yes be yes and your no be no.
The real danger in promises is entering into a verbal contract with someone that tarnishes our character should we need to default on our word. It’s less forgiving if a promise or a commitment wasn’t made.
Breaking promises almost always is painful for everyone involved. What better way to limit breaking promises than refraining from making them in the first place.
Words lead to actions even if it’s just us
Whether we tell others or not, when we say out loud something that we want to do, we tend to gravitate actions that help us follow through. It’s the same thing… just we are the only one that knows it.
Keeping your word to yourself actually builds self-confidence. After all self-confidence by it’s very definition is trust in ones self. Keeping your word builds trust.
And we get a bonus when we share with others about doing great things, we get motivation to do great things.
How to deal with unresolved commitments
Unresolved commitments put a barrier between you and the other person to whom we made the commitment to. Here is a simple exercise you can do today that will help get you out of unresolved commitments.
Disclaimer, it ONLY works IF you are willing to bite the bullet and follow-through on the commitment regardless of the response from the other party.
- Make a list of people who you have unresolved commitments
- Next to each name write the next step of how you will ask the other person
If you are having trouble resolving a commitment, let’s connect on Twitter. I’ll help you resolve it.
What are your honest thoughts?
Samuel Hatton
Producer
Samuel Hatton is the full-time marketing guy at Endsight – San Francisco Bay Area’s premium locally sourced computer technology support. He’s a multi-talented creative, natural encourager, and is full of courageous ideas.
Weston Pokorny
Connector
Weston Pokorny is a free-lance business technology consultant. People call him when they are faced with major projects they just can't get organized around. He's a master organizer, people connector, and is full of courageous compassion.
