Are You A Person Of Your Word?
June 28, 2010 
20 Comments
Are you a person of your word? Are you someone who keeps their word?
When you say you are going to do something, do you actually follow through and do it? When you say you’re going to meet somebody, do you actually meet them at the time you stated you were going to meet them? When you’re going to do a favor for somebody, do you do that favor or does the person have to ask you to do it over and over again?
Living life with integrity means actually committing to the things you say and to the actions that you promise. Nothing irritates me more than when someone tells me they are going to do something, and then I have to hound them to get it done.
It’s annoying to have to ask someone five or six times before they will do what they said they would do. This is especially true in professional or business situation.
In business, if you have to ask someone somebody five or six times to do something, then it means that person is really not a good worker and doesn’t take pride in their work. Even in a personal setting, you should never have to ask a friend to something several times before they will do it. The same thing is true in a relationship.
Become somebody who commits to your word, and other people with really respect you so much more. Even more importantly, be a person of your word so that you can respect yourself.
Success or commitment is all about the follow-through.
9 out of 10 times I keep my word. I do what I say I am going to do.
The one time I dont keep my word, is because something else occured that was more important.
When it comes to the opposite sex, I keep my word most of the time. When I don’t, it’s just because Im being a challenge. I tell her I’m gonna call wednesday and I don’t, just an example.
Not keeping your word can be the biggest TRUST killer.
To the coaches and other female readers:
Why is it that some women don’t keep their word. They make decisions based on a current emotion, and later on, they flake out?
That right there is the million dollar question Farley. I have a hard time trusting women’s decisions because they tend to say things based on how they are feeling at the moment, and then when their emotional state changes, they totally change their mind and justify it in their heads that it’s ok to do so. Are men just wired differently?
I’ve always kept my word and the reason I do so is I always do what I say. besides it’s fun to say “Well I told you I was going to be there,right”?
Integrity is my favourite word and hypocrit is my least favourite word. These days I aim to act with integrity (including extremely rarely having to break my word even to postponing an appointment or cancelling a plan).
Although sometimes I do believe that people get caught up with timing. eg Our priorities change at times and sometimes even long term projects need to be shelved for a while for various reasons.
Flexibility with integrity seems to be more important these days – not being so rigid makes for easier relationships!!!
Very well written David. I will have to get my nephew to read this one, he may need to read it more than several times since he is always late to work:)
You’re reading my mind, for some reason it really applies to me. I know I can do better in my business but sometimes I think the time is not right. So I am going to make all the improvements I need to make. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. I love you David Wygant:)
Khiem- how are you doing? I haven’t seen you on the blog for a while?
Like Farley said, I keep my word the majority of the time. If I say I’m going to do something, I do it. If I don’t know if I can do something, I just don’t commit to it. I don’t like to break my word. It makes me feel terrible. Growing up, I was surrounded by people who didn’t keep their word. And it drove me nuts! I figure, if I expect other people to keep their word, I better do it too.
One day, I was in the car with my auntie and her family and we were heading towards Tahoe. My cousin was upset because his mom (my auntie) had promised the kids that they were going to get to do something (earlier that week or day) but she backed out on her promise. He was, understandably, upset. He said that she often would say she was going to do something but later say no. It drove him crazy. And I agreed with him that it was wrong for her to do that. How can you expect someone else to trust you if you don’t keep your word? It wasn’t my place to lecture her about it. But in my opinion, it’s bad parenting and sets a terrible example for the kids.
I had a friend who would show up at least an hour late almost every time we met. I didn’t know if she only did that with me or if she did that with everyone else too. I hated that. It’s not fashionable to be late.
Workwise, if I promise to deliver something by a certain day, I’ll do it. If other things come up, then I will stay later to complete the other task. I don’t want to be the weakest link. (I also don’t want to get fired.)
Integrity, trustworthiness, and reliability are all inter-related. In relationships especially, I need to have someone I can depend on. I don’t want to have to always wonder if he’s going to flake on me. He could be the sweetest and sexiest guy but if he doesn’t possess integrity, the deal’s off.
Hey Howe,
I’m doing good! Just been busy with stuff. How are you?
I’m doing pretty good. I just started to date a new girl. She is really cute man, she just like me. I understand her so much better than before. And oh yea the new text product really helped to cut some barrier. So thanks for helping in that department.
Howe
Its eye-opening isn’t it? Nice to hear you’ve met someone amazing!
Julia
I wish I had an aunt like you when I was a kid:)
Jacob- you’re crazy man:) I saw the freehug video of you. It is really eyeopening for me to have a guide like that. So keep em coming and please let me know if there is an update near future.
Whats new with you?
Great post! I think no matter how hard we try, we can always be better- I’m def. going to pay more attention to the promises I make!
In my experience, both men and women don’t keep their word.
But I have seen that men tend to do a lot more sin of omission or do not understand that communication can be more than words. Some of the men I have dated have not understood the signals they were sending. Everyone should be careful and clear about what they want so everyone is on the same page.
Examples:
A. Coming on strong and backing off
B. Inviting a woman to something intimate like buying furniture
C. Inviting someone to a concert a month in advance and then never following up.
I suppose these are all bad signs for men or women, but from what I have seen, men seem more ok with assuming that both are on the same page.
Hey David. Awesome post today, and something to think about.
I got to pay attention to what I say because in the past, I can never keep my word. Whether someone tells me to keep a secret, or I say I’ll do this or that, I never keep it. But learning from you David, I make it a habit to keep my word. But I’m still improving because there are some times even now that I don’t keep my word (like I said I’d ask my dad to drive me somwhere but I didn’t ask, or I’ll invite friends over to my house but I didn’t follow through). But thanks for the heads-up. I’ll keep this in mind.
And nice picture. Press the button for success. If ONLY it were that easy. Hahahaha. Again, great post.
I think that sticking to your word is very important specially when in a relationship.
For me they are called agreements. My boyfriend or ex (now) started going to all kinds of seminars to get more social with girls specially, and I soported him in his decision but still asked that if he was going to be social, to also not deceive and be truthfull to girls and say that he was in a relationship even if he was trying to just have sex (cause we agreed to even turn our relationship into an open r.) But for any person I believe that you are capable to do anything when your needs and/or agreements are being met.
So I would like to know what do you think about telling the truth from the begining in order to have what you are looking for and not hurt anyone?
Cause i had to find out in a hurtfull way that he didnt keep his word with me or the girl he had at his place when I arrived…..
This is a place where I need help in my life! I sometimes cancel dates with girls because I get nervous! And sometimes I never get to hang out with them again! I don’t cherish the moment with them and take girls for granted way too much!!
Hey David, Great article…I enjoyed reading it and furthered realized that keeping my word is such an important thing and a habit to have in my life.