The Power of Keeping Your Agreements
We live in a world full of commitments, some spoken, others implied. From deadlines at work, to promises to friends, to the small personal goals we whisper to ourselves, agreements shape our lives. And yet, many of us underestimate the power they hold.
Werner Erhard’s words remind us of a profound truth - our lives work to the degree we keep our agreements. Why? Because agreements are more than words, they’re a reflection of our integrity. When we say we’ll do something and follow through, we’re not just earning trust with others, we’re reinforcing trust with ourselves.
Agreements Build Trust
Every time you keep an agreement, no matter how small, you strengthen credibility. Colleagues trust you more. Friends rely on you more. And perhaps most importantly, you begin to trust yourself more deeply. That self-trust fuels confidence, clarity, and momentum in every area of life.
Broken Agreements Carry Hidden Costs
On the surface, a broken agreement may seem minor - showing up late, missing a deadline, letting a promise slip. But underneath, there’s erosion happening. Trust weakens. Relationships strain. And internally, self-doubt creeps in chipping away at your belief that you can follow through. Over time, this cost compounds exponentially. .
The Discipline of Conscious Commitments
The solution isn’t to avoid agreements altogether, but to make them more consciously. Before you say “yes,” pause and ask - “can I truly commit to this? Do I have the bandwidth, the energy, the desire?” Saying “no” upfront is far more powerful than overcommitting and breaking your word later.
Living with Integrity
Imagine a life where your words consistently align with your actions. People know that when you speak, you mean it. You know that when you set a goal, you’ll deliver on it. That alignment creates a sense of freedom, power, and clarity.
Keeping agreements isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention. It’s about treating your word as something sacred, knowing that every kept agreement strengthens the foundation of your life.
This week, choose one agreement, big or small, that you’ve been neglecting. Keep it. Notice how it impacts not only the relationship with others, but also the relationship you have with yourself.
