The promises you make

“I will send that over to you.”

Which, of course, they don’t.

Because it’s easy to make a promise in the moment but a lot harder to keep it later.

It’s also a bummer for the other person because they might have thought you mean what you say.

Of course, you didn’t lie. You meant to keep it. And yet, you didn’t.

Maybe you just forgot about it. Or an urgent call came your way. Maybe it was even impossible to keep the promise.

The thing is: the person you made the promise probably to doesn’t care. And I think she shouldn’t care. She cares about whether you keep your promises.

But there’s an easy fix: Make less promises.

Make less promises so you can keep the ones you do make.

In other words: only make promises that you are absolutely certain you can keep.

Don’t try to be “nice” by making a promise in the moment.

Be nice by keeping the promises you do make.

Check out my new book
The PATH to Strategic Impact

Get The Art of Communicating in your inbox.
Change minds, drive action, and turn confusion into clarity.

    I value your privacy. No spam. Just “Great stuff, brilliantly articulated” (to use the words of longtime reader David).

    Read More

    The story of 2022

    What did 2022 bring you? What did you learn? Who did you meet? Why not take the time in between the years to turn one

    Read »

    Glitter and glam

    A powerful message doesn’t need backup dancers or flashy props. It stands alone, clear and strong. Here’s a simple test:When you strip away the extras,

    Read »