All of us have made commitments to ourselves at one point or another. From promises to exercise every day to commitments to eating healthier and keeping up with a regular journaling practice (we endorse that one!), these promises have the best of intentions, but they're not always easy to keep.
With that in mind, here are 7 ways to keep commitments to yourself.
How to Keep Commitments to Yourself
1. Set realistic goals
When you set a goal, make sure it is achievable and realistic. Avoid setting too many goals that may lead to feeling overwhelmed and giving up. So, "exercise every day," while a great goal, might not be realistic for you. "Exercise three times a week," on the other hand, might be.
2. Write down your goals
Writing your goals down can help make them more concrete and give you a sense of accountability. Consider keeping a journal (like Silk + Sonder, which has a habit tracker!) or using an app to track your progress.
3. Break your goals into smaller tasks
Breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks can make them easier to achieve. It also helps to keep track of your progress and gives you a sense of accomplishment. So if you made a commitment to write a novel, don't plan to write the whole thing in a month—break it down into manageable chunks.
Hold yourself accountable
Take responsibility for your actions and hold yourself accountable for achieving your goals. This may involve making a commitment to yourself and creating a plan of action. Or, you can always find an accountability buddy who you don't want to let down!
Stay focused
Avoid distractions and stay focused on your goals. This may involve creating a dedicated workspace or setting aside specific times for working towards your goals. And getting off of Netflix and social media. Yes, really.
Celebrate your successes
Celebrating your successes can help you stay motivated and focused on achieving your goals. Consider rewarding yourself when you reach milestones or accomplish your goals. Reward yourself with a shopping trip, dinner at your favorite restaurant, or a cozy movie night in.
Be flexible
Be willing to adjust your goals and plans as needed. Life can be unpredictable, and it's important to be able to adapt to changes and challenges that arise along the way. They're roadblocks, and if you get off track, that doesn't mean you've completely broken your commitment to yourself—you can always try again tomorrow.
Why Keeping Commitments to Yourself Is So Hard
Keeping commitments to yourself can be challenging for several reasons. First, it can be difficult to hold yourself accountable without external pressure or consequences. When you make a commitment to someone else, there may be consequences if you fail to follow through, such as disappointing or letting down the other person. However, when you make a commitment to yourself, it's easier to rationalize or justify not following through, as there may be no immediate consequences.
Second, keeping commitments to yourself requires a significant amount of self-discipline and motivation. It's easy to become distracted or lose focus, especially if your goals are long-term or require sustained effort. Without a clear sense of purpose or motivation, it can be challenging to stay committed to your goals and maintain the necessary discipline to see them through.
Finally, fear of failure or self-doubt can also make it hard to keep commitments to yourself. If you doubt your abilities or fear that you won't be able to achieve your goals, it can be tempting to give up or avoid taking action. This can be especially challenging if your goals are ambitious or require you to step outside your comfort zone.
Keeping commitments to yourself requires a significant amount of self-awareness, discipline, and motivation. It may also require seeking external sources of support or accountability, such as a friend, coach, or therapist. By recognizing and addressing the challenges of keeping commitments to yourself, you can develop the skills and habits necessary to achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life.
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