Shine With Grace: Promises Are To Be Kept

Promises Are To Be Kept

Published April 21st, 2008 in Happiness, Friendship, Thoughts.

Promises are to be kept.

In every relationship, trust is the corner-stone and keeping promises is the only way to build up trust.

Promises can be large - politicians promising to turn around the economy in 4 years.

Promises can be small - calling your girl-friend at the agreed time.

Don’t be light-hearted. Large and small, promises are promises. Once broken, it leaves a crack on the trust between you two.

What if due to some unforeseen circumstances, you envisage that you can’t keep your promises?

Tell the truth before “the promise delivery date” and if possible, give a reason - to manage the expectation of your people / girlfriend - so that they / she won’t be disappointed finding out that you fail to deliver when the time comes.

What if you did plan to and was confident that you could keep your promise but somehow failed?

Apologize and be honest and give the reason to your people / girlfriend immediately. Don’t let them think that you’re a liar / somebody taking them for granted, somebody not keeping promises / somebody not trust-worthy. For once the negative impression is formed, it takes extra effort (if ever possible) to win them back. For once you are labelled incredible, your every action will be doubted.

What if you are not sure you can keep a promise, but would like to give one out anyhow to cheer up your voters / girlfriend?

My advice would be: Don’t make any promises unless you are determined to follow-through. True that they will be happy when you initiate it, but, they will hate you more when they find out that you don’t really have the heart to make real.

Indeed, people will even be more delighted when you under promise and over deliver. Afterall, people are result oriented, and action always speaks louder than words.

Picture: Violet Horizon by Peter Wileman

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