"A promise made is a debt unpaid." - William Shakespeare
In this sense, the debt mountain of many people and also companies is probably quite large. We promise to be a better spouse, to be more considerate, to try harder at work, to serve the customer better ...
And in this jumble of promises, the most important one falls by the wayside: what did you promise yourself?
When is sometime?
Before you think about this question at length, recall Shakespeare: A promise is an unpaid debt. A debt that you should pay at some point.
Sounds almost biblical-moral, doesn't it? No wonder that this "someday" in today's rather religiously unimpressed society often degenerates into: tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, next year ... never. Good business relations or private relationships and bonds certainly do not develop when dealing with each other in this way.
Nevertheless, I don't want to give you a moral lecture about keeping promises. Because I would miss the point: Every person needs a promise to himself first of all.
Sorry, dear me
In principle, this promise sounds quite simple: you promise yourself to be the person you want to be in five, ten, fifteen years.
In practice, however, it's not so easy to stick to this promise. Here, a terrific job offer that you almost have to accept. Then a house purchase, because everyone around you, without exception, advises you to take the chance. On top of that, a promotion that no one in their right mind would turn down.
At the end of the day, for example, you're a successful executive with a brilliant resume and a stellar career - but you're actually a strong family man. But instead of spending time with your children, you employ a nanny and spend ten to twelve hours a day in the office. Why? Because you have kept your promises to others without keeping your promise to yourself in mind.
Yes, Mom, I'm going to have a career.
Yes, honey, I will feed the family.
Yes, boss, I'll finish the project today.
No, dear me, I don't know what I want for myself.
The horizon
Many people suffer from this phenomenon. You try to meet all the demands of your environment, and meanwhile never ask yourself: Where do I want to be in ten years? Who do I want to be? What do I want to do?
Getting clear: "Where do I actually want to go?" is the first step to being able to stick to your own promise in the first place. It is not enough if you merely promise yourself: "I will be successful" or "I will improve customer contact in my department" - because what does success mean? And is customer contact better when sales figures increase or when you increase customer value?
Such vague promises remain permanently unpaid debts. Because they lack a long-term horizon. A clear idea of where you actually want to go. The promise to yourself that you are working towards.
People who have this promise to themselves clearly in mind no longer run the risk of climbing the ladder and finding at the top that it was leaning against the wrong wall. They live a self-determined life instead of being "led by life.
What promise do you make to yourself?