Deliver on Your Promises
There are two challenges involved: keeping track of what you’ve said, and making time in a day packed with other responsibilities. Here are some ideas for both.
- Keeping Track: When you promise to send something, write it down on the back of the person’s business card (if they don’t have a card, make a note in your PDA or on one of your own cards – just don’t give that card to someone else). Keep a commitment list on your PDA or calendar, separate from other notes. Always bring this to meetings with you. Store handwritten notations in the same place.
- Making Time: Go to work fifteen minutes early or stay fifteen minutes later to do your follow-up. If there is a door to your workplace, close it. Forward your phone to voice mail. Don’t let anything interrupt you. It takes discipline, but it is worth it. If it’s quick, do the follow-up immediately. If it’s a big commitment, use the time to organize your approach and schedule time to get it done.
A lot of credibility is lost in the gap between what you say and what you do. People may not call you on forgotten promises, but they will remember. Follow through.
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