I recently wrote about some research from Wharton Professor, Dr. Katy Milkman, that suggests telling people what you’re going to do can be an effective way to ensure that you do something.
When we raise the stakes — in this case by introducing social consequences — we’re more likely to act.
That’s the power of telling.
It is important, however, to be careful not to abuse this tactic.
If you declare a commitment to more than you can actually do, then you will invariably fail to complete the second half of the exercise: showing your work.
This is the quickest way to ensure that your words lose gravity — both with yourself and with the people you work with.
Whatever you put out there, whatever you promise, whatever you manifest — try to feel the full weight of what you’re committing to.
When carried out judiciously, your words can carry immense weight.
And if not given full consideration, they can mean nothing.