How to Keep a Commitment

A commitment is a really serious agreement to do something. It means putting the full force of personal integrity behind an action. Keeping commitments, even when difficult, creates positive power in the world. It’s all a question of priorities.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Honesty
• Tenacity
• Willingness to take responsibility

1. Think about the reason why you made the commitment in the first place. Reflect on the goal you intended to accomplish.

2. Think about the reasons why you are now questioning that commitment. Are the circumstances that arose since you made it really worth breaking your word?

3. Consider the negative fallout that you fear from the commitment. Decide whether the worst impact will be on you or on someone else. A commitment to yourself is just as important as one to another person; however, when people are depending on you, relationships can be damaged.

4. Decide that you will do what you said you would. Explain any mistakes you made: for example, agreeing to do something in an impossible time frame, or to do two things at once. Say that you have made a priority of keeping your commitments. Find a solution to the mistake that honors you and the others involved. Promise to be more attentive in the future.

5. Fulfill on your commitment. Take pride in doing what you agreed to do. Realize that being acknowledged as a person of integrity will ultimately make your life work better.

Tips & Warnings

• Think carefully when making commitments since you now intend to keep them.
• Estimate time well; many mistakes happen because people are overscheduled.
• Prioritize well so that you can manage your commitments more easily.
• There are important circumstances when not keeping the commitment is actually the more powerful choice. For example, if you have profound doubts before the wedding about marrying someone, delay the wedding while you figure it out. If you’re clear that it’s a mistake, be kind to your fiancé(é) but don’t marry the wrong person.

Resources

• Personal development seminar