In a meeting earlier this morning, someone said something that stuck with me: “Don’t cheat yourself.” Simple, but powerful.
So often, we think about keeping our promises to others – showing up, following through, being dependable. But what about the promises we make to ourselves? The goals we set? The commitments we quietly vow to keep? When we break those, we’re not letting anyone else down – we’re letting ourselves down. And that’s the most damaging kind of disappointment.
Whether it’s a professional goal, a spiritual habit, or a physical commitment, keeping your word to you is one of the most empowering things you can do. It builds confidence, trust, and momentum. One place I absolutely don’t cheat myself is at the gym – I’m at spin class five days a week. It’s not always easy, but it’s non-negotiable because I made that promise to myself. And keeping that promise fuels every other area of my life.
This is so important to me that I block out that time on my calendar – each class is a recurring appointment that says, “Block for Spin.” No one can book an appointment that time, and I know when it is coming up. This also helps me ‘not think’ of when class is because different days have different times.
So ask yourself today—what have you told yourself you’d do? And are you doing it? If not, it’s never too late to start showing up for the most important person in your life: YOU.
Keeping promises to yourself sets up the baseline for keeping promises to others. It’s a deep spiritual beginning of understanding yourself and the ways you live in the words.
I love this – “Keeping promises to yourself sets up the baseline for keeping promises to others.” So true! Thanks for sharing!
This post has hit a raw nerve – my promise to myself to go to the gym is still out there, weighed down by illegitimate excuses. It shouldn’t matter that I don’t have trendy gym gear to wear or the best footwear.
It’s time to put a time in my diary, be reminded every morning, go out the door, and walk to the gym.
It’s time to stop cheating myself out of the fitness I so desperately need.
Thank you, Paul, for the push.
Sorry for hitting the nerve and making you a little uncomfortable (if I did). Even if you just walk to the gym and back, that is better than not doing anything at all. Don’t worry… Don’t beat yourself up… Just start something! Sometimes in the middle of the day, I will just get up and take a walk around tea block.
I had a wonderful mentor at my last job who would say this all the time. She was a fabulous boss that made work and learning the job so much fun.
Thanks for stopping by, Patricia! Your previous boss had some great advice!
I am trying to get better at keeping promises to myself. Adding to my calendar would help – blocking it out and stick to it. Thank you for the reminder!
I LIVE by my calendar for work tasks.. Although I do have some really important personal items on there (like my workouts as I mentioned) when they are time-based and I have to be someplace.
Thanks, Amanda!