5 Reasons Why Keeping Commitments will make you a better person overall

You wake up 20 minutes after your alarm has gone off. You rush to the shower, frantically brush your teeth, speed to work and still walk through the doors 10 minutes late. You’ve been living this routine for as long as you can remember, and you know it needs to stop.

At some point during the year, many of us take time to reflect on what we could do better. Maybe we could keep better track of our finances or stop binging on Netflix until 4 am.

We get all geared up to make a change, but then the thrill wears off. Before you know it, the commitment you made to yourself a mere three months earlier becomes a distant memory.

If you can’t keep your commitments to yourself, how will you keep the lunch dates, promises and agreements you have with other people? In order to be the best version of yourself, you’ve got to keep those personal resolutions and decisions you’ve made. Here’s why:

1. You Exude Accountability

When you decide to become accountable to yourself, others will notice. Accountability is a huge quality employers, friends and even romantic partners look for. Keeping those promises to yourself is the first sign that you are mature enough and ready to be accountable to others.  Like attracts like; if you’re accountable to yourself, you will attract people with the same characteristics.

2. You Become an Inspiration

Whether you realize it or not, people notice what you’re doing. When others see you keeping commitments to yourself, they might be inspired to do the same.  Did you recently commit to working out and eating healthy? Have your coworkers or friends made comments like, “Man, I really need to do what you’re doing,” or “Wow, you look great! What are you doing differently?”  Bam. You’ve just planted a little inspiration in the brains of others. Even if they don’t act on it immediately, you’ve done your part to be a positive influence.

3. You Establish Routine

Believe it or not, routine is important. If you know you have to be at work at 8 am, then at some point, you’ve determined how long it takes you to get ready so you know what time you have to wake up. Yes, routine can get boring and you might feel stagnant, but that doesn’t mean you can completely buck the system and expect to get anywhere. How do you expect to stay in shape or get enough sleep if you can’t establish some sort of routine?

Accountability, routines and inspiring others are aspects of responsibility. These qualities show others that you have matured into a person they can trust and rely on.  If you are willing to get up at 5 am to go to the gym or stop binge-drinking on weekends, you are probably willing to lend a hand or plan an outing with another person. Being responsible will make you a better friend and colleague.  Let’s face it: This generation could use a few more of those.

If you can keep commitments to yourself, you are more likely to hold others to the same standards. You won’t tolerate people in your life who continuously blow you off because you know how important it is to stand by your word.  You’ll be less likely to let other people mistreat you since you know your time is valuable. When you have a clear understanding of your worth, as a result of your ability to keep your commitments to yourself, you create better relationships.  Keep your commitments to yourself first, and you will become a better person overall.