Nine Promises to Your Coworkers

As seasons change, I find myself making promises of things I want to do and accomplish. Yesterday, when I looked at the calendar, I started to panic realizing it is already the end of July. What have I accomplished at work and at home? Where have I traveled? I scan through social media postings and think, “Wow, they are having fun!” Well, I am, too! Maybe even more fun!

However, I, along with everyone else, tend to pit ourselves against other’s social media fun and happiness and not reflect on our own happiness and fun moments. This can lead to negative thinking and negatively impact our social and professional lives.

Recently, Renee Thompson shared with me, John Wooden’s Nine Promises to Happiness. The late Coach John Wooden was known not only for his astonishing winning records as a successful basketball coach but also for his inspiring words. Coach Wooden believed the promises you make to yourself take goal-setting and self-talk to a higher level.

When I read Wooden’s Nine Promises, it inspired me to borrow and adapt some of them to create our own promises to our coworkers.

Nine Promises to Your Coworkers

1. Promise yourself that you will talk about happiness, and prosperity with your COWORKERS as often as possible. 

The more positive thoughts and conversations you have, the more you will train your brain to switch from negativity to positivity. Try it out. It may feel awkward at first, especially if you have an unhealthy work environment. However, the more you try the more natural it will feel and the better you and your coworkers will feel. Thus, taking one step towards a healthier environment.

2. Promise yourself to make all your COWORKERS know they are special and that you value them. 

Who doesn’t want to feel special and valued? Celebrate those special moments and value your coworker’s efforts and commitments. Tell them! A fellow coworker knew that I was an alumnus of his daughter’s college. He would tell me about his latest visit and activities she was doing. These stories let me know he valued me by letting me into his world, but they also let me get to a happy place of mine for free!

3. Promise to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best in yourself and COWORKERS. 

Why settle for less? Not every day can have fireworks and celebrations, but why not strive to be the very best version of yourself?

4. Promise to be just as enthusiastic about the success of your COWORKERS as you are about your own. 

My husband recently ran his first marathon. When he crossed the finish line, I felt joy and overwhelming pride. Not a moment of jealousy, but pure joy for him and his accomplishments. It took a team to ensure he met goals and training schedules. Go ahead and feel that same joy and pride as your coworkers finish a program or even start their very first IV. Your encouragement and support helped them accomplish this goal.

5. Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

This one can be a tall order. We all start our day with this one in mind. “Check your baggage at the door,” they say. As a nurse, tasks add up and keeping your peace of mind can be a challenge but promising to work towards not allowing your peace of mind to be disturbed is a move in the right direction. Supporting our coworkers in this order is one way we show we care, too.

6. Promise to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements in the future. 

From the classic wisdom of Annie, “Yesterday was plain awful, but that’s not now, that’s then” we can all take a few lessons from this young lady. Let us not be defined by mistakes and hardships but let’s forge on today and see what great we can accomplish!

7. Promise to wear a cheerful appearance at all times and give every person you meet a smile. 

I smile. I smile a lot. I smile when I am happy, I smile when life is stacked against me and I need to forge ahead, I smile when the work is all done, and I want to pat myself on the back. You never know when that cheerful appearance will change someone’s day. And sometimes it returns the favor back and you realize it is going to be okay.

8. Promise to give time to improving yourself so that you have no time to criticize your COWORKERS. 

We all need to give time to self-improvement. The cliché no one is perfect is correct! Take time to reflect on your own improvement rather on how you can improve another.

9. Promise to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit trouble to press on you. 

Wow! I envision myself rising from bed slowly, gracefully, and with purpose. No struggle but with presence, clarity, confidence, and a tender smile that says you care and are ready for the day. Start with beginning your day and trying to carry those thoughts throughout each challenge of the day.

As your call to action this month, please vow that you will work on these promises by yourself and with your coworkers. Pick one a week as a focus. Make it a goal to round out your year giving yourself more positivity in your day-to-day.

Share these 9 Promises with your coworkers. Your efforts will have a positive effect on your social and professional life. I promise to do the same.

Be Kind. Care. Smile.