Your word..

A person is only as good as their word.

When someone says they’re going to do something, and don’t.. It ruins trust. Trust is hard to come by in the first place, so when you say you’re going to do something, and don’t, that trust fades.

I’m not talking about the “big” promises, either. I’m talking about the little things. If you say you’re going to put the dishes away, put the dishes away. If you say you’re going to feet the dog, feed the dog. Promises don’t have to be “big” to be broken.

I did some research (again.. shocker!!) on why people have such a hard time keeping their promises, and it was somewhat surprising. According to Psychology Today, people have a hard time keeping promises because they internally or subconsciously despise the act that they promised. Which, to me, made no sense whatsoever.. Why would you make a promise to do something you hated?? Until I kept reading.. People also often make promises to people because they think that’s what the other person wants to hear. Now, that makes sense.

I understand, sometimes people can’t keep their promises about bigger things: going on a specific vacation, loving someone forever, going to college, being best friends forever, etc. Life happens. We’ve all made promises that we never kept. I swore my best friend in 3rd grade would be my best friend for the rest of my life. Now, I keep up with them through Facebook, but don’t necessarily talk to them. It’s not like I meant for it to happen. We ended up going to different high schools, and just drifted apart. I get all of that.

What I’m talking about, is the little things. I’m not sure people realize how much little things actually mean. I know I have said this before, but it’s true. Little things, often times, mean more than big things.

So, all I’m saying, is, don’t make promises you can’t keep. Don’t say you’re going to do something if you have no intention of actually doing it. Don’t say you’re going to do something, just because you think that’s what someone wants to hear. At least try to keep your word. After so many times of someone not keeping their word, their words start to be meaningless..

Don’t do that to someone. Be better. Be conscious of other’s feelings. Be conscious of your own feelings. Do you enjoy when people don’t keep their word with you? No? Then why would you do it to someone else?

I’m not saying don’t ever make promises. Just don’t make ones you don’t plan on keeping. And if you realize that you weren’t able to keep your word, own up to it. Make it right.