Keeping and making promises not only builds our relationships with others but also becomes the cornerstone of our growth. However, it is equally important to make promises to ourselves and hold ourselves accountable. Making a promise to ourselves is knowing the right thing to do; keeping it defines who we are.

We often question why, despite deciding we still find it difficult to stick to decisions we have made for ourselves. The answer lies in understanding the way our mind tricks us. When making the promise, our mind is clear and we know it is the right thing for us. We feel confident and sure that we will now live differently having made the decision. But soon the mind realises that the promise is a new boundary condition that has been imposed upon it and will seek the first opportunity to break free and get back to its old way of doing things.

Our daily reminder to ourselves helps us keep promises. We need to keep reinforcing the commitment till it becomes an unshakeable conviction.

Our daily review helps us know where we have slipped up during the day, enabling us to course-correct at the earliest. A ship that is off course by even 1 degree may find itself on a different continent if not checked in time.

Rewarding ourselves when we keep to our word keeps us motivated. Similarly, giving the mind consequences for breaking a promise helps keep us in check.

Visualising the life we can build for ourselves if we keep to our promises, keeps us motivated. It is not the promise, but what it can potentially do for us that keeps us inspired.

Keeping a promise made to others builds our reputation, keeping a promise made to ourselves builds our character. Not only do we start trusting ourselves, but we also become trustworthy in the eyes of others. It may be challenging at times and need us to make some sacrifices, but let us not sacrifice the promises we have made to ourselves.

(Picture – Penang city seen from Bukit Bendera)