Musings at Altitude

“I’ll do that” may be the most used lie ever.

We say it when someone needs us to call someone, and then it slips our mind and we never call.

We say it when one of our bosses asks us to do something, and we quickly forget about it assuming that if it’s important they’ll ask us again and we’ll have time to get it done.

We say it when someone needs prayer, and then we don’t pray for them.

We say it when our kids or spouse need us to take care of something, and then we quickly forget.

Is a commitment to do something only really a commitment when there is a clearly visible path to check up on that commitment?  Is a commitment only a commitment if someone desperately needs something and will get angry or hurt if that something isn’t accomplished?

Of course not.

And yet we say “I’ll do that” all the time and then get distracted or immediately put off the very thing we committed to do.

The best way to fulfill the commitments that we make is to do them immediately.

If someone asks you to call for them and you commit to do that, call immediately.

If your boss asks you to do something and you commit to do that, get the wheels in motion immediately.

If someone asks you to pray for them and you promise to pray, then pray immediately.

If one of your family members asks you to do something, then find a way to act on it immediately.

Don’t allow distractions and excuses to turn your commitment into that most used lie.

PS.  I’m guilty of all of these, and I’m hoping my family and co-workers don’t weigh in with the long list of examples that I know exists.

PSS.  I also realize that many times it just can’t be done immediately.  At those times, we need to put a time stamp on the commitment as to when it will be fulfilled and ensure that we track that commitment to that time and make sure it is fulfilled.  It gets harder though with delayed commitments.  Tracking the commitment could take as much time as just getting it done.