Do You Have Integrity, Do You Keep Your Word?

partially weeded front garden area. © Marsha Musselman 2016
Midland, Michigan
September 22, 2016 7:46pm CST
I was taught a long time ago to count the cost before giving my word about anything. I've felt that I have integrity and that I keep my word. That means I don't promise to do something unless I really intend to follow through with it. I tried to teach that to my daughters. There were times growing up when they'd tell a friend they'd hang out but later if someone else wanted to spend time with them on the same day, they'd cancel the first request if they liked the second person better. I tried to teach them not to do that, but I don't know whether I succeeded in that. The problem I have is that I'm not that great in keeping my word to myself. There are many days when I tell myself that I can hang out in mylot land, or play a computer game for a bit and then I need to get at whatever it might be. Right now I should be working on my bookkeeping since I'm behind as usual. I've been playing a game or three, but I don't really feel like hitting the books like I said I would. My question to you is: Do you do pretty well keeping your word and what about following through with a goal you have set for yourself?
14 people like this
13 responses
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
23 Sep 16
I always keep my word but I have to admit, that I don't promise myself very much. Being retired is a blessing that way, you almost never have to do anything!!
3 people like this
• Midland, Michigan
23 Sep 16
Since I'm running our business and working full time elsewhere too, I barely make time for my bookkeeping. Now that I'm writing online too I am usually getting it done the next Feb or so. I've been trying to keep up better, but not succeeding. I worked all day washing windows, then visited my mom and then my sister. I should be working on the books now, they're all over my desk and have been for three months. Not sure if I'll follow through yet or not.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
23 Sep 16
@MarshaMusselman I'm exhausted just reading what you are doing.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
23 Sep 16
Yes, I keep my word unless there are unforseen circumstances to prevent me. I don't set myself goals.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
23 Sep 16
@MarshaMusselman I have someone who cleans the house for me. I don't have routines, apart from getting meals. I do the washing when we have enough dirty clothes to fill the machine, and generally just do things when they need doing.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
30 Sep 16
@jaboUK Maybe one day I'll be able to afford to have help cleaning my house, but for now I have to fit everything in as best I can. I do our laundry mostly when the need is there too, but there are certain days when I have a bit more time to work on it than others.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
23 Sep 16
So for things like cleaning the house, Janet, you just do it when it works out without giving it much thought beforehand? Maybe you have specific days when you do certain tasks and you've already built that habit and don't think about it much.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Sep 16
I am true to my word but when it comes to myself I have a tendency not to follow through
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
23 Sep 16
I think that seems pretty common.
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
23 Sep 16
Yes I usually do. Taking care of people come first, then work and online last.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
23 Sep 16
I work two jobs, Andria, so when I get home for the night, or before I head out for the day I could be working on some of the bookkeeping, but then I couldn't be visiting here too. The only way I can usually do the books is to not even look at my notifications one time or the bank. Once I do, I have to mosey around a little bit and that turns into a lot bit quite a bit.
1 person likes this
@rina110383 (24492)
23 Sep 16
I always try to keep my word. As to goals I set for myself, I'm disciplined and I'm on it. I do everything to reach my goals on time.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
23 Sep 16
That's pretty amazing. I think I did much better before the technology age began. Now that I have my mylot friends to keep up with I am here more than I should be most times, and otherwise I play a few games rather than getting at whichever task I hoped to accomplish that week or day.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
23 Sep 16
It's hard to say, sometimes I do, but other times I put it off and flounder. Like I intended to vacuum today and instead I've done other things.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
23 Sep 16
Even if I wasn't mylotting or playing games, there's always many things that need attention, so the thing planned isn't always what gets done. I do know what you mean.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
24 Sep 16
t's best for me not to plan, just do it when I see something that need attention. @MarshaMusselman I
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
24 Sep 16
I don't promise myself things. I set goals and don't always follow through on them. Like I should be taking a shower right now, but I'm going to MyLot for a few more minutes.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
23 Sep 16
I am very good keeping my word if I promised something to others. I am very bad keeping my word to myself.
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9117)
• United States
23 Sep 16
Yes, I taught them early on that "A man is only as good as his word" and I taught them exactly what that means. My older ones have learned that lesson, the younger ones will learn it. I hope some of what they have learned was by their parents examples, we both try to make our word gold. They can take a lot of things from you in life, but not your self worth, your word is part of that.
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38219)
• Philippines
23 Sep 16
Myself is my greatest enemy.
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23236)
• Bangalore, India
23 Sep 16
Keeping my word matters a lot to me and I expect tha from others too. Not gonna lie I do judge people based on that. I don't hate them or dislike them. Just don't put a lot of trust on them.
1 person likes this
• Cebu, Philippines
24 Sep 16
I keep my word most of the time. I won't deny there are some promises that just have to be broken.
1 person likes this
@Bella27 (387)
• Waverly, Tennessee
23 Sep 16
I've always been taught your word is the only thing you have. You messed that up and your basically nothing. I don't promise stuff I can't keep either! Im happy i was taught it growing up. As far as goals i cant stay to one thing. I jump around way to much on random projects!
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
23 Sep 16
If you jump around on your projects a little each day or however often, that maybe okay if you get them done eventually. I'll get cleaning projects done, but not necessarily on the days that I think I'm going to get at them. I've jumped around on different projects before too, and even though nothing gets completed, I don't feel so bad about doing none of them for so long. Meaning at least they've gotten a bit further than they would have otherwise.