The Power of Personal Promises: Unlocking Confidence, Success, and Happiness

To fully grasp the essence of the promises we make to ourselves, let's first define what we mean by 'self-promises'. A?self-promise is a?commitment that you make to yourself. It may be a?pledge of personal improvement, a?quest to attain a?certain goal, or an oath to break free from a?negative habit. And, believe it or not, these self-promises have a?deeper impact on your journey to success, confidence, and happiness than you might think.?

"Keeping promises to ourselves is so vital because these are pieced together to form the foundation of our self-worth and make us the people we aspire to be."

Let us explore the remarkable reasons why keeping the promises you make to yourself is critical:?

1. Boosts Self-confidence: Every time you keep a promise you made to yourself, it strengthens your belief in your ability to perform tasks and fulfill obligations. Not only does this enhance your self-confidence, but it also fosters self-respect.
2. Cultivates Discipline: Keeping your own promises requires determination and discipline. This practice inevitably helps you hone your ability to persist in the face of adversity, making you stronger mentally and emotionally.
3. Enhances Happiness: Fulfilling promises to ourselves leads to a sense of satisfaction and achievement. It’s rewarding and instills a feeling of happiness, enhancing our overall well-being.

As these points reveal, promises to ourselves are not just simple declarations. They are foundational to our confidence, success, and happiness. Take these stats for example:

• Individuals who break personal promises are 50% more likely to experience feelings of guilt or shame.
• People who keep personal promises are 33% more likely to achieve their goals.
• People who keep personal promises report 35% higher levels of happiness.
• 70% of people who keep personal promises to themselves report higher self-confidence.

The Power of Personal Promises: Unleashing Confidence

When you make a promise to yourself, it's more than just a casual murmuring. Instead, it signals a commitment, a pledge to take an action that aligns with your values, goals, or aspirations. The act conveys a potent and empowering message: you are ready to trust, believe in, and value yourself.?

The trust you build with yourself by keeping your promises can have a?substantial impact on your self-esteem and confidence. It becomes a?positive feedback loop: the more you trust in your ability to keep promises, the more confident you are in making future commitments. This breeds success, as over time, you're able to set greater, more audacious goals with the conviction that you'll reach them.?

Unfortunately, many of us struggle to keep the commitments we make to ourselves. Whether it's going to the gym regularly, reading daily, or eating healthily, it's not unusual for these personal promises to be easily pushed aside. On the surface, it often appears easier to keep commitments to others than to ourselves. After all, with external commitments, there is an immediate social consequence, be it disappointment, failure, or guilt.?

However, consistently breaking those personal commitments indicates a deeper struggle. It could signify a lack of love, faith, self-trust, and strength. Reneging on personal promises can erode self-esteem and perpetuate a dangerous cycle of self-doubt and disappointment.?

The good news is, it's entirely possible to overcome this struggle. A?strong motivator is understanding that keeping commitments to ourselves is crucial for achieving our goals and building strong relationships. When you keep your word, you cultivate respect and trust, not just from others but within yourself. The process of establishing this trust boosts confidence, happiness, and long-term success, both personally and professionally.

Micro-Goals for the Win!

Most of us have been conditioned to go for the goal, the big win! While that process "can" work, it can also set us up for repeat failures. The reason is that anything we are chasing typically comes on the other end of change: change of habits, actions, behaviors, and environment. And the one thing humans don't like is change.

So, how does one win when keeping promises to yourself? Enter micro-goals! These are small, bite-sized goals that feel like a minor stretch but are also doable in the case of goal setting. Micro-goals are a?brilliant stepping stone towards achieving your bigger ambitions and commitments. They are your little wins, serving as a?self-esteem boost and confidence builder, allowing you to maintain a?positive and proactive mindset.?

Now, you may question why these tiny goals matter.?The logic behind this is simple. When you successfully fulfill a?small promise to yourself, it sets up a?positive feedback loop in your mind. This builds your belief in your ability to keep promises, reinforcing your trust in yourself, and overall enhancing your self-discipline. It's important to remember that even the longest journey starts with a?single step.?

Fostering Resolve: Overcoming self-doubt and fear of failure?

We understand - that making a promise to yourself might seem daunting. Fear of failure or self-doubt can often creep in, making it hard to stick to your commitments. But guess what? It's okay to stumble as you navigate your way towards fulfilling your promises. The goal is not to be perfect but rather resilient.?

Remember, there’s no harm in reassessing and resetting your commitments. The key point here is to stay honest with yourself, acknowledging when you've strayed from your goals and gently nudging yourself back onto the path of success. Progress is progress, no matter how small!?

Partnering with Discipline: The Ultimate Duo?

Alongside setting and pursuing your micro-goals, integrating a good dose of self-discipline into your daily routine can be the real game-changer. Staying disciplined is what allows you to stay consistent, turning your once daunting tasks into regular productive habits.

Acknowledge that keeping commitments to yourself can be challenging, but also understand that it becomes easier when you set realistic goals and consistently maintain discipline. In my book, "Success Takes Courage ", I speak to the power of persistence and perseverance when chasing the next thing on your list. These personal promises play a major role in building your character, making you more reliable, productive, and ultimately successful.

Setting Personal Promises: A Key to Happiness

Having promises set for ourselves propels us into a state of personal responsibility and allows us to tap into our innate potential. Often, we make commitments to other people without a second thought but struggle with keeping the promises we make to ourselves. The reason for this dichotomy, perhaps, is the urgency we feel to deliver on our commitments out of fear of disappointing others. Yet, when it comes to ourselves, we tend to belittle the significance of our own commitments. Overcoming this mindset is a significant step towards creating a happier, more successful life.

Imagine the profound impact that fulfilling promises to ourselves can generate. Each dedication met serves to fortify trust in oneself. There's an empowering cycle of hope, action, and validation that emerges when you honor your commitments to yourself. This unquestionably lifts your overall self-confidence, and having the belief system that you can rely on yourself nurtures an inner sense of security and contentment.?

A core part of striving toward personal growth is acknowledging the value of your goals and desires. Delivering on such personal promises paves the path to success. That's because personal promises act as stepping stones to your overarching goals. For instance, a promise to cook at home five times a week can help you save money or lead a healthier lifestyle, and it’s the small promises like these that add up to significant success in the long run.?

The bottom line is that keeping promises to oneself strengthens your bond with your inner self, like a sort of self-made pact. It promotes a harmonic relationship wherein you value, respect, and prioritize your individual growth and happiness. Yes, breaking self-promises can harm your self-esteem, but this doesn't mean that you should refrain from making them altogether. The key is to be forgiving yet firm, ensuring that your commitments are defined by compassion for yourself and aimed towards augmenting your happiness and success.?

A life lived keeping one's own commitments goes a?long way in fostering a?sense of purpose, fueling determination, and above all, cultivating deep personal happiness. So make those promises to yourself and then, uphold them with all earnestness. You will soon see yourself blossoming with confidence, success, and an enduring sense of joy.

In the end, I think it's our responsibility to our potential to keep those promises to ourselves, no matter how small they may be!

Cheers to your happiness and your success!

Terri-Ann Richards

Terri-Ann Richards is the founder of Lighthouse Leaders Group a boutique leadership development coaching and workplace happiness training company, and is a highly sought after professional speaker.

With over two decades of diverse industry experience, Terri-Ann's unyielding commitment to understanding audiences is reflected in her personalized approach to every training session and keynote speech. She helps leaders and their teams develop the human-skills required to both grow and navigate in our ever changing environment.