Keeping Promises in Challenging Times

Are you struggling to keep the promises you’ve made? From family members to employers to friends, in times of challenge, keeping the promises you make can be daunting. It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed by obligations that come from trying to be the person you aspire to be, that can do anything. However, promises made can and should be kept in challenging times. Here are a few strategies for keeping promises during hard times.

First, recognize your limits and keep promises within your abilities. If a situation is out of your control, it’s not a good idea to commit to something that will take a miracle to accomplish. Accept that you can’t do everything, and make promises you’re confident you can keep.

Next, make a plan to stay organized and on top of your responsibilities. From daily schedules to task lists to setting reminders, these techniques can help keep you on track with promises made.

Don’t be afraid to communicate. Life gets hectic and people make mistakes. But be sure to communicate any changes to a plan or potential inability to meet a commitment, if and when that arises.

Most importantly, learn how to say “no.” Before you agree to a request, assess whether it’s feasible, and in the end, be comfortable saying “no” when a situation is beyond your abilities or boundaries. This can go a long way in terms of not taking on too much and keeping your promise track record strong.

It’s ok to be human and not keep every promise that you make, especially in times of challenge. But, you can use these strategies to keep more of them than you thought. As the old adage goes, a promise made is a promise kept.