Why Keeping Commitments to Yourself is SO Damn Important

Full disclosure: This article is coming to you from a recovering bonafide work hard/play hard, sleep when you’re dead, FOMO addict. Like so many of us, I am a mom, wife, daughter, friend, business owner, volunteer, soccer mom, etc. I tend to wear a lot of hats. And I care deeply for others. I tend to take care of others before I take care of myself.

Historically, I have tended to say yes to everything. And while that is fun, it often has my calendar looking like this 👇.

But I’ve also learned the power of saying ‘no’ to some commitments, which has brought a sense of relief and freedom.

I’ve been practicing slowing down, biting off less, and intentionally spending my time, energy, and money (practicing what I preach).

With that in mind, I’ve recently taken to heart a quote: “Keep promises to yourself, and your successes will start stacking up.”

The feeling of accomplishment that comes with keeping promises to yourself is truly motivating and something to be proud of.

I’ve learned that keeping promises to yourself is vital for building self-trust, confidence, and a sense of reliability, ultimately fostering personal growth and well-being. The results are nothing short of astonishing! On the flip side, not keeping promises to yourself can lead to self-doubt, a lack of confidence, and a feeling of being unreliable, which can hinder personal growth and well-being.

When you keep promises to yourself, you: 

• Building Self-Trust and Confidence: When you consistently follow through on your commitments to yourself, you establish a foundation of trust and confidence in your ability to achieve goals and make good decisions.
• Enhancing Self-Esteem: Keeping promises to yourself is not just about commitment, it’s about self-respect. It reinforces your belief in your capabilities, leading to a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence. It’s a way of showing yourself that you value and respect your own needs and goals.
• Promoting Personal Growth: Fulfilling promises to yourself, whether related to personal development, health, or other areas, allows you to actively work towards your goals and become the person you aspire to be.
• Improving Discipline and Focus: Keeping promises requires discipline and focus, valuable skills that can be applied to other areas of your life.
• Strengthening Relationships (with Yourself): When you treat yourself with the same respect and reliability you expect from others, you foster a stronger, healthier relationship with yourself.
• Boundaries: You learn how to set healthy boundaries to protect your well-being.

What does it look like in real life? Here are some examples of promises to yourself:

• • Taking care of your physical health
  • Pursuing activities that enhance your skills
  • Spending quality time with loved ones
  • Managing your finances effectively
  • Reflecting on your values and priorities

The reality is that, knowing or unknowingly, everyone has an agenda for you, and unless you’re willing to carve out time for yourself, nobody else will.

What is the best way to ensure you keep your commitments to yourself?

• Automate when possible. An example is having money is removed from your paycheck before you even see it, makes it easier to hit your financial goals.
• Write it down and post it somewhere you will see it frequently.
• Block it out on your calendar: Review your week ahead of time and schedule time for yourself.
• Make it as easy as possible: Put your sneakers by your bed. Prep food ahead of time. Please do what you can to eliminate the urge not to do it because it is too much effort.
• Take that first step: Sometimes, if you start, it is much easier to keep going.
• Make a public commitment: If you don’t hit your goal by a specific date, have a public consequence. Talk about motivation!
• Have a friend or coach hold you accountable: Statistics say that you are 65% more likely to accomplish your goal if you have an accountability buddy. That stat jumps to 95% if you have a regular check-in scheduled.

Inertia, procrastination, the power of habit, and the fear of others’ judgments can also make it difficult to make and keep your promises.

I advise people to start by making one small but significant promise to themselves—and to stick to it with 100% integrity. For example, if you decide that more time with family is most important, you might commit to eating dinner together at home three times a week for the next two weeks.  And, if you successfully keep that promise, it should give you the confidence to try another:  you might commit to walking for a half-hour every weekday or to sharpen your presentation skills by tackling a public speaking course.

How have you kept promises to yourself? What were the results? I’d love to hear from you!

Share your experiences in the comments below and let’s inspire each other to prioritize self-care and personal growth.