Chapter 1: The Importance of Self-Trust

Establishing trust in oneself is crucial. If you can't rely on yourself, how can you expect to trust others?

Do you have confidence in your own abilities? Reflect on how often you've committed to objectives like saving money, shedding pounds, or organizing that cluttered kitchen drawer.

You've likely made numerous commitments to yourself, many of which have gone unfulfilled. This is a common experience. For example, you might tell yourself, "I will start working on the next commercial," but as time passes, you create new promises without following through on the previous ones.

This behavior has consequences. It teaches you that being serious about your commitments isn’t necessary. Over time, you may unintentionally convey to yourself that it's acceptable to let yourself down.

It’s essential to cultivate self-belief and trust. Ultimately, if you can't trust yourself, who else can you depend on?

Reflect on Past Experiences

If you set an ambitious goal, such as losing 50 pounds, but fell short, it may be wise to adjust your expectations. Instead of aiming for a drastic change all at once, aim for more achievable milestones, like losing 10 pounds multiple times.

Document Your Commitments

Thoughts can be fleeting and often lack substance. By writing down your commitments, you create a tangible reminder. Place these written promises in visible locations and review them frequently throughout the day.

Assess Your Belief in Your Promises

Deep down, you know whether you're serious about your commitments. When you promise yourself something, take a moment to reflect on whether you genuinely intend to keep that promise, and listen to your inner response. If you're not committed, consider making a new, more realistic promise.

Shift Your Mindset Toward Self-Promises

Many of us prioritize keeping promises to others over those we make to ourselves. If you believe you deserve the same respect as others, it’s essential to stop accepting disappointment from yourself.

Embrace the Discomfort of Commitment

Why do you sometimes fail to honor your word? Often, it's because keeping a promise feels more challenging than breaking it. If you can learn to manage discomfort, you’ll find it easier to uphold your commitments. Cultivating resilience in the face of discomfort is a valuable skill.

Consider Your Reaction to Broken Promises

How would you feel about someone who consistently failed to keep their promises to you? Likely, you wouldn’t maintain a close relationship with that person. When you break promises to yourself, you diminish your self-worth. Reflect on how you'd respond if someone treated you the same way. This self-neglect can have detrimental effects on your self-esteem.

The Value of Keeping Your Commitments

While it may seem easier to prioritize promises to others, honoring your commitments to yourself is often more important. The way you treat yourself profoundly impacts every aspect of your life. By building self-trust, you will find it easier to keep all your commitments.

Chapter 2: The Impact of Broken Commitments

This video offers five practical tips for establishing and maintaining personal promises. Discover how to strengthen your commitment to yourself and enhance your self-trust.

In this inspiring talk, Mel Robbins shares actionable steps to start keeping your promises to yourself. Learn how to boost your self-confidence and achieve your goals.

A Final Reflection:

What effects do broken promises have on your self-esteem? The simple truth is that they can erode your confidence in your capabilities. When you fail to uphold your commitments, you may begin to doubt various aspects of yourself. Living without trust can feel like being trapped in the darkest cell of all—your own mind. — Graham Greene