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Commitment

Carrot and Stick Resolutions

by RandallCraig on December 29, 2009

Filed in: Blog, Make It Happen Tipsheet, Motivational

Tagged as: , ,

If you’re like many people, you will make a New Year’s Resolution: start this project, finish that project, exercise more, eat less, etc. Yet despite our best intentions, too often there is little follow-through, and the resolution is quietly abandoned. This year, can it be different? (Yes!)

Translating resolution to action is far easier when you add four extra ingredients: Intention, Carrots, Sticks, and Commitment.

Reasonable Intention: It makes no sense to intend to do something that is impossible or unreasonable. If you have mandatory early morning meetings each day, then you can’t go to the gym at precisely that time. Your intentions should be something that is physically possible for you to do (or stop doing).

Carrot: If you intend to go jogging two times weekly, then rewarding yourself. A new jacket in three months might be just enough incentive to keep you going if your resolve starts to falter. And when you do get that jacket, the jacket itself will mean much more: it becomes a symbol of your ability to follow through on your commitment.

Stick: In the same way that a Carrot provides incentive to act, the Stick imposes a cost for inaction. Choose a penalty that is meaningful and would “hurt” each time it is incurred. This might mean foregoing two days of Starbucks coffee, doing household chores for others,etc.

Public Commitment: Often we keep our resolutions to ourselves: then when we don’t follow through, no one ever finds out. This year, make a public commitment to your friends, family, co-workers, etc; not only will these people keep you honest, but they can be your biggest supporters. Side benefit: when you follow through, you strengthen your reputation as a promise-keeper.

This week’s action item: Many people have long given up on New Year’s resolutions. This year, try it again, but don’t just choose a resolution – also choose a carrot, stick, and make a public commitment.

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Note: The Make It Happen Tipsheet is also available by email. Go to www.RandallCraig.com to register.

Randall Craig
www.RandallCraig.com
www.ptadvisors.com

Weasel words have no weight

by RandallCraig on October 7, 2008

Filed in: Blog, Communication, Make It Happen Tipsheet, Professional Development, Promotion

Tagged as: , , ,

Have you ever met someone who doesn’t give you a straight answer? They have a way of saying things that leave doubt in your mind about whether they will deliver on their promises. When this happens, listen to their words carefully: they use conditional words to express commitments. For example:

I might try to work on the project Wednesday, possibly in the afternoon.

Contrast this with the following, far more definitive statement:

I will finish the project on Wednesday.

In both cases, the project will be delivered by Thursday, but in the first example there is so much hedging that the likelihood of completion appears to be low.

Words such as May, Maybe, Might, Would, Could, Try, Possibly, and Consider have far less weight than Will, Can, Commit, Deliver, Promise and Leave it to me. Use the first group and you lower others’ confidence in you. Use the second group and you raise it.

In an age where one’s word is paramount, using weasel words as an “out” in case we can’t deliver often prevents us from going the extra mile for our commitments. In other words, it is easier to use weasel words than doing the tough work.

When your client, prospect, manager, or prospective manager asks a question, don’t be afraid to step up to the plate and make the commitment. You’d be surprised at what you’re capable of when your reputation is on the line.

This week’s action item: Before you send any email, write any report, and before you present at any meeting, check the weasel words at the door and make yourself accountable. A reputation for always delivering on your promises will give you latitude if things don’t work in your favor. (Balance Postscript: Making commitments works in your personal life as well…)

Note: The Make It Happen Tipsheet is also available by email. Go to www.RandallCraig.com to register.

Randall Craig
www.RandallCraig.com
www.ptadvisors.com

Urgent vs. Important

by RandallCraig September 16, 2008

We are a society looking for instant gratification. When a customer calls, we rush to meet their needs. When we check into a hotel, we expect prompt, courteous service. When we drive our cars, we always take the shortest routes – at the fastest speeds. And when we do a great job, we want to [...]

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Yes means No

by RandallCraig October 30, 2007

It is tough saying “No” when someone asks for your help or your commitment. We don’t want to let down our peers, managers, friends, or family. We don’t want them to think we lack the capability. And we want to develop the reputation as someone who always steps up to the plate. Yet when we [...]

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Summer Resolutions

by RandallCraig June 27, 2006

We’ve all heard about New Year’s resolutions, but how about Summer Resolutions? Or, for that matter, First-of-the-month Resolutions, Monday resolutions, or 9am resolutions? While some of these may sound absurd, there is actually something that can be learned from them. For most people, New Year’s resolutions have two things in common: they are made with [...]

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Mentor Mentee

by RandallCraig May 23, 2006

I’m not sure if mentee is a proper word, but it should be. So much has been written about the importance of finding a mentor, but when you get one, what is your role as the mentee? First, consider the reasons a mentor is showing an interest in you. They might enjoy coaching/developing others. They [...]

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