Success means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but there is one simple practice that will increase the likelihood of success no matter how you define it.

Do what you say you will do.

Not what you promise to do. Not what you swear on the lives of your children you will do. Not what you make a solemn oath to do.

Just do what you say you will do.

When you tell someone you’ll be there at 9:00, be there at 9:00.

When you tell someone you’ll finish the report this week, finish the report this week.

When you tell someone you want to meet for coffee, meet for coffee.

When you tell your boss you’ll hit the sales goal, hit the sales goal.

When you tell your people you’ll find a solution to a problem that drives them crazy, find a solution.

And when you tell yourself you’ll hit the gym, take the trip, or enroll in the class, do it.

(Truly, breaking commitments to yourself opens the door to failure in every aspect of your life.)

Does this mean you can’t renegotiate terms when circumstances change? Of course not.

It means that you will proactively renegotiate those terms instead of just letting things slide.

This isn’t just a matter of “virtue” or “goodness,” it’s a matter of trust.

Trust with others and trust with yourself.

When you do what you say you will do you become a person who others believe in…and most importantly…who you believe in. 

You don’t necessarily have to be better, smarter, and faster to win.

But you do have to do what you say you will do.

TRY THIS: Become impeccable with your word. Hold yourself accountable to your agreements, even when others won’t. Proactively renegotiate terms when things change. Watch what happens.

My free PDF, “The 5 Secrets of Impossibly Effective Teams,” will show you the simple leadership moves that help teams unlock their full potential and deliver outsized results, without burning out. Grab your copy now at geoffwelch.com/secrets