The Power of Keeping to Your Word

Have you ever said you would do something and haven’t followed through on it? Yet it chips away in your mind as you go about your life…sometimes you address it, many times not, and it slips away?

It may not seem like a big deal, it may not even be a big thing, but over time, this erodes your confidence.

One of the most powerful habits/behaviours and ultimately a way of being, is to stick to your word.

I used to be one of these people, over the last few years after countless leadership trainings and workshops around the world – I’ve been able to transform being a weak flakey leader into grounded confidence and true power.

I’m still a work in progress on this, but let me explain…

The world is full of flakey people. People that say they will do something and then don’t follow through on it.

And because everyone around you is doing that, it becomes subconsciously acceptable.

But you are not on my email list to live a flakey life and be a flakey person. You are here to Lead From Within. Meaning, living and leading a life of truth, integrity, power and authentic leadership.

That is rare.

Being rare requires doing rare things.

The Promise Problem

Most people don’t realise they have an integrity problem. They show up to meetings, they hit deadlines, they look responsible on the outside.

But underneath? A different story – a quiet eroding of confidence that sometimes shows up as imposter syndrome and all other names we call it.

“I’ll call you back in 10 minutes.” (You don’t.)

“I’ll finish this by Friday.” (You don’t.)

“I’m working out tomorrow morning.” (You don’t.)

We make casual commitments all day long… to colleagues, to partners, to ourselves.

And we break them without even noticing.

A broken promise sends a signal, not just to others, but importantly to yourself. It sends a signal that you are not someone to follow through on your word.

It might seem acceptable for the small things, but then when the big things come like “I’m going to run a marathon, start a business, hit that big target” you deeply don’t trust yourself.

How can you? If you don’t do the small things, how are you meant to get the big things done?

When you break promises to others, trust fractures, relationships weaken, people stop relying on you. Your influence and impact shrink.

When you break promises to yourself, self-trust collapses, confidence erodes, you feel smaller and more uncertain, like you’re always behind.

The word confidence comes from the Latin “confidere.” It means “with trust.”

You can’t think your way into confidence, confidence is built through evidence of trusting yourself. Through a track record of keeping your word.

Think of yourself as a captain on a ship.

A captain doesn’t just steer. They maintain the integrity of the vessel itself and when there’s a leak, they fix it immediately.

Because they know a small crack today becomes a disaster when the storm hits.

Your word is your vessel.

So, how can you be better at this with some practical things to implement?

Here are three:

1. Stop Making Casual Commitments

Most people leak integrity through throwaway promises.

“Yeah, I’ll look at that.” – when you won’t

“Sure, let’s grab coffee soon.” – when you won’t

“I’ll send that over tomorrow.” – when you most likely won’t

Stop it!

Only commit to what you genuinely will complete.

Your word should mean something. Protect it.

2. Clean Up Your Messes Immediately

You will slip up, particularly many of us here have multiple things going on in life. I still slip up, but we must restore integrity when we do.

When you said you would do something, but didn’t, acknowledge it.

Most people ignore it. Pretend it didn’t happen. Hope no one notices. Leaders acknowledge it.

To others: “I said I’d call yesterday and I didn’t. I’m sorry. Here’s when I’ll do so.”

To yourself: “I committed to that morning routine and broke it. Today I’m back on track.”

Cleaning up your messes isn’t weakness. It’s restoring the power of your word.

3. Keep track of what you said you’d do and review and realign weekly

Either on your phone or in your mind, have a radar of your commitments.

And every week, ask yourself:

Where did I keep my word this week?

Where did I break it?

What commitments am I carrying that I need to renegotiate or release?

This isn’t about beating yourself up. It’s about staying honest and releasing any mental baggage so you can operate with a clear and clean mind.

The Work

Personal integrity isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being honest.

It’s not about feeling guilty and shameful for not following through. It’s about cleaning up the mess and moving on quickly.

It’s about treating your word as something powerful. To yourself and to others.

When you start being your word, your power, leadership, and confidence will skyrocket.

You stop being someone who’s flakey and you start being someone with real power, influence, and high impact.

In which area of life do you need to practice keeping to your word more?

Have a great Sunday!

J

P.s. here are a few ways I can support your journey:

1) Join our next Elite Leadership Experience Circle on Wednesday 4th March 5pm GMT (ONLY 2 PLACES LEFT NOW) – Be in a powerful space to uncover your blind spots with other growth minded professionals. Only 8 space available. ​
​2) 📓 Journal with Jaineel 7 Day Experience for Free – 7 days, 10 minutes a day. One prompt. ​

3) 🧘 Download my free guided meditation – 20 minutes to calibrate your energy and shift your state. Remember: you don’t attract what you want, you attract who you are. ​

4) 📞 Let’s talk – If you’re ready to do this work 1:1 or in a group setting, book a call with me ​