Some say they want to take better care of themselves, spend more quality time with their family, and less time on social media. They say they want to read more, tackle their bucket list, and become a force for good in the world. But does it happen? Not really. They make promises to themselves they never truly intend to keep. And there lies the rub. Saying something feels good but doing it is another matter entirely.

And that’s the point. Success requires hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. Saying something may feel rewarding at first, but without follow-through, it’s meaningless.

So, what does that empty promise leave them with? Nothing. If it doesn’t trouble them — and no one calls them out — they’ll likely do it again…and again. Over time, they end up living a fantasy.

Talking Creates Noise; Doing Creates Results

Some people believe that once they make a commitment, their obligation ends. But that raises a deeper question: What drives people to make hollow claims in the first place?

Do they:

• Value the outcome, but resist the effort?
• Feel momentary relief just from saying it, as if that alone were enough?
• Truly care about the outcome, or are they mainly trying to impress others?
• Follow through on small commitments, while only talking about larger ones?
• Accept ownership of the outcome, or expect others to handle it for them?

Speak Less…Do More

We have terms for people who say they’ll do something but fail to deliver. Some call them delusional, others use a harsher label like hypocrite, and some even call them liars — making promises they have no intention of keeping. Those who make such commitments often see their behavior as harmless, and in many cases, they don’t even realize they’re making a promise.

While it may not directly harm anyone, it does erode trust over time. How can you trust people who don’t follow through on their commitments? What may feel harmless to them isn’t always perceived that way by others.

And it raises a simple question of character: If a promise is important enough to make, it should be important enough to keep.

Keep the promises you make to others — and yourself.

There’s a simple way to do this: discipline. When you promise to do something, only make commitments you plan to keep. Talk is cheap — it takes no effort to say something. What matters is follow-through. So be disciplined with the promises you make because your credibility is on the line. Better yet, don’t tell me what you’re going to do, tell me what you’ve done. Saying something isn’t the same as doing it.

Are You Saying More or Doing More?

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“Every choice you make defines you. If This Won’t Get You Thinking, Nothing Will delivers 365 daily challenges to spark reflection, strengthen character, and ignite high performance. Bravo!”

James Strock, Author of Serve to Lead

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Additional Reading:
It’s Better Done Than Said
Broken Promises, Broken Commitments
6 Ways to Spot All Talk, No Action
Follow Through Turns Good Ideas Into Great Results
23 Ways to Spot a Hypocrite
Do You Take Your Commitments Seriously?
New Year’s Resolutions (Another Year of Broken Promises?)

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