Start keeping promises to yourself
There are a number of ways we measure a person’s worth or our own worth. Perhaps none other evokes as much emotion as “keeping your word.”
A friend or colleague who continually lets you down when they promise to do something, or be somewhere, soon looses your trust and respect. Conversely, most of us feel bad if we let somebody down because we realize some trust and respect for us, from that person, has been eroded.
When it comes to family we tend to go the extra mile. For example, if you promise your son or daughter you’ll pick them up at school for 2:30pm, you’ll make sure you’re on time.
The consequences of not being there is too painful and embarrassing to imagine. So nothing will stand in your way.
Likewise if you promise to visit a friend in hospital and visiting hours finish at 9:00pm then if you value the friendship you’ll find a way of keeping your word whatever crops up that day.
Somebody once said “You are your word” and this is true.
We measure our respect, or not, for politicians by analyzing if they kept their campaign promises. This is why we don’t respect or trust our politicians because most of them follow a road of broken promises. But they’re not the first or only to do this – just convenient as an example.
But keeping our word is not only about respecting others – keeping your word to yourself is all about respecting yourself. We need to pay as much attention about keeping promises to ourselves as we do to others.
Unfortunately, most of us have a historical string of broken promises to ourselves. I’m going to stop smoking. I’m going to lose weight. I’ll go to the gym to get fit.
We’ve all done it so don’t feel isolated or full of shame if you see yourself here.
The fact is keeping promises to yourself show you respect and consider yourself as important as others. And you are as important as others. It’s not about becoming so self-important you abandon all others… it’s about balance.
If you promise to go on a no sugar diet for the next week – avoid foods with sugar such as candy, bakery goods and carbohydrates such as pasta, pizza, potatoes, and white rice. This is every bit as important as meeting your child at school on time.
If your word to yourself is to exercise over the next month by taking a 20 minute brisk walk each day then keeping this commitment is as vital as visiting your friend in hospital when you said you would.
Keeping your word to yourself is a habit you can learn.
Start simple. Start a daily journal, and write out five tasks you want to achieve each day the night before or in the morning. These tasks do not have to be grandiose or time consuming. Things like walking the dog, calling a friend, and reading a chapter in a book are fine. Keep it simple and achievable.
As you complete each activity during the day tick it off. You’ll be amazed at how good you feel after number 5 is completed. Next day do whole thing again.
Exercise the muscle of “keeping your word to yourself” everyday. And quickly, you’ll feel confident to tackle life-changing events such as quit smoking and losing weight because when you promise to do something… you do it – whatever it takes.
Keeping your word is a topic I cover in more depth in my stop smoking and weight loss programs. I’ve found those people who keep promises to themselves are more likely to be successful in making major life style changes. For more resources about weight loss and stop smoking information visit Erika Slater’s web site at http://www.freeatlasthypnosis.com
Erika Slater, CH
Free At Last Hypnosis
Upton, MA 01568
508.529.2490
