Do you Over Promise & Under Deliver to your Team?

Doing what you say you're going to do can sound a very simple task but I ask you - do you do it? This seemingly simple task can be the difference between people being able to trust and rely on you 100%. And it's not only who you say it to but it includes when you say things to yourself.

I think we all have someone in our lives who we can rely on to do what they say they're going to, be there when they say they will be and you never have any doubt that they won't. Perhaps someone in your personal life or an employee or executive that you work with - And how good is this!?! But how many do you have that don't and are you one of them?

If you are, the first thing I want to point out to you is that if you say you're going to do something when you know there is a high chance of you not actually following through with it why say it in the first place? You are only setting yourself up for failure in your life and appearing un-trustworthy and un-reliable to others. You might do it 50% or even 80% of the time but how does the other person know exactly when that will or won't be?

Secondly if you say to yourself you're going to do something and don't you can quickly become in the habit of doing so and then after a while you can't even trust or rely on yourself which then can bring you down with disappointment, a feeling of failure and ultimately un-satisfaction because you're not doing the things you keep saying you will and want to be doing.

Here are 6 Top Tips to help you get on the path to 'Doing What You Say You're Going To Do!':

• Before you say you're going to do anything first look to see if it's actually realistic and can be achieved. Can you be at the kids sports match on Saturday? With a totally free Saturday yes. Can pick up the dry cleaning on your way home tonight? With the time you leave work no because the store will be shut. Sounds simple and it can be.
• Remember that we often just say we will do something because that's what we think the other person wants to hear, but saying yes can be a whole lot worse than saying no if you don't actually do it because then the person expected/relied on you to do so and end up angry, upset, have fallen short and are more often than not left disappointed in you.
• You often fail to do things you say you're going to do because they are only a 'should' not a 'must'. I should probably do that for that person... or I should quit smoking, look for a new job, lose weight, visit your family, talk with your partner but you don't. If you're not doing them they're not top on your priority list so if you want to be doing these things you might like to reassess and move them up to being your top priorities.
• Don't set too higher expectations on yourself when you start trying to do everything you say you're going to do. Say no more often if you're not sure and at least if you do it then it's a nice bonus and if you don't you haven't failed yourself or the other person. Once you have done everything you have said you're going to do for a whole week then you can start to increase upon that but get the new habit off to a flying start with lower expectations otherwise you'll just keep not doing what you say you're going to do and thus become totally discouraged and give up before you've had a chance to get going!
• Be aware and stop yourself before you say to someone or yourself that you're going to do something unless your 99% sure you will do so.
• And if something is realistic and achievable go that step further by asking yourself, when will I do it, who and what do I need to help me do it? How will I get this help? Are there any obstacles that could come up that would prevent me from doing it? Do I really want to do it?

Why should you - Do What You Say You're Going To Do?

Because doing what you say you're going to do creates trust, reliability, not many people actually do it so it quickly puts you a step above the rest, is an outstanding skill, keeps you feeling at peace and fulfilled with yourself and most importantly you don't have to keep walking around with broken promises and then feeling guilty about them because you know you said you would but you never did.

For more information contact Jacqueline Pigdon T: +61 (0) 404 362 379 E: jacqueline@jinalife.com