To be true to our promises and honor our word 5 things are important.

Many of us have experienced the disappointment associated with broken promises.

Parents, friends, partners, or business associates that fail to keep a promise can leave us feeling wounded and highly suspicious about believing anyone in the future that makes bold assertions about “following through on commitments”.

The result is the same, we lose trust and that adversely affects our perception of people and creates trepidation about future opportunities.

Being too guarded can prevent experiencing the love we deserve, the relationships we desire and the success that creates professional satisfaction.

People break promises for a myriad of reasons.??

Some are malicious and intentionally mislead people for personal gain.

Other people commit broken promises as a product of insecurity, romantic euphoria, overly eager ambitions, or subtle patterns that have become involuntary.

Many people are passive aggressive and enthusiastically embrace another person’s emotional energy.? They endorse our dreams and make empty promises as a product of destructive patterns that become habitual.

Other people are overly confident in their own capabilities.? They create a false reality based on embellishments that distort their “ability to perform”.

Every entrepreneur is eager to start a business.? Most are woefully ill equipped to manage the challenge.? So, they make grand promises to future investors based on the hope of securing financing, but truly lack what’s required to build a profitable business.

Some people just fear saying no so they make promises to avoid the discomfort of being honest and lack the assertiveness necessary to establish firm boundaries.

Regardless, breaking promises is a bad habit that prevents people from reaching their true potential and ruptures relationships along the way.

“There is no greater fraud than a promise not kept.”?

Here are 5 things we can do to ensure we keep our promise:

Consider

Before we make a promise carefully contemplate the implications.? Make sure we can honor our commitment and consider the consequences.? If it’s something we can’t do, say no.? You may lose a business prospect or create some bad feelings.? However, it’s better that getting in way over our head and suffering the ramifications of remorse, regret and ruptured relationships.??

Consummate

Many businesspeople make verbal agreements because they fear asking for what they deserve or trust the other party will honor their obligations.? This is business folks and flimsy agreements offer no protection.? Get your commitments in writing.? If someone hesitates to sign a written agreement, that’s a bad sign.? Spelling out expectations is common sense in business, and it solidifies each party’s promises.?

“I don’t trust words, I trust actions.”

Consistency

Many people overlook the importance of honoring small obligations.? We don’t take our kids to the park because we got distracted with work.? It’s easy to overlook the importance of fulfilling each small promise we make.? When we do, we set a precedent and send a clear signal in the process.? People can depend on us to honor small promises, and trust will we honor the big ones.

Complete

It’s easy to rationalize avoiding promises we prefer not to keep.? I had a friend that would always make plans, then cancel at the last minute.? We need to contemplate each promise and refuse the ones we prefer not to make but honor the ones we do.? Every little promise impacts our relationships and creates trust, respect, and credibility in the process.? Relationships that matter most require satisfying our promises.? ??

Continuity

When we develop a pattern of honoring our obligations, we expect the same from other people.?? We refuse to surround ourselves with individuals that can’t keep their word and sever relationships with people who are unreliable.? It makes life better and helps us forge stronger connections with quality people that understand the importance of keeping a promise.????

“The most important person to keep your promises to, is yourself.”?

Sum it up.

Any other suggestions honoring our word?? Share your thoughts in the comments section and please like and share this article. I love learning from you as well.

About Steve:

Steve Wohlenhaus is CEO of Weatherology, the leading company in the world at disseminating audio weather information.?? Steve began his career as a major market television weather anchor in Minneapolis, where he received several Emmy Awards for science programming.? Steve is the author and host of the podcast program Anatomy of Success.? Reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn.? Learn more about my work and grab the free Weatherology mobile app by clicking any picture in this article!