With all the electronic payment options, we don’t write as many checks as in the past. But when we do, we’ve grown to learn that our signature at the bottom means the money will be in the bank when the check is cashed.
A check is a promise to pay. The banks hold you to your promise and enforce strict consequences for insufficient funds including bounced/returned checks, overdraft fees or even closing your account. If you’ve experienced any of these deterrents, you’re aware of them every time you sign a check and make sure you keep that payment promise and comply.
Outside of the banking system, we make all sorts of other promises. With our non-monetary promises, the consequences are seemingly less stringent. Or maybe they’re merely less closely monitored.
Here are the most common:
How do you feel when you hear these excuses from others? What does it do to your ability to trust them in the future?
In both situations, you’re likely failing to deliver on a promise. Broken promises destroy your integrity. Both money and time are scarce, finite resources. Unless you effectively manage these resources, you’ll be out of money and out of integrity. Fiscally and morally bankrupt.
Perhaps you’re proficient with your finances and rarely bounce a check. Are you equally proficient with your calendar? Or do you occasionally write a check that your calendar can’t cash? When either occurs, what happens to:
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Will Durant
Whether or not you’re challenged with delivering on the commitments to others, an even greater challenge is honoring the commitments you make to yourself.
Tom Lemanski helps accomplished leaders unlock potential, solve complex challenges, and amplify their impact.
Effective leadership is the key to driving meaningful, lasting success in a fast-changing world.
Tom’s focus on innovative strategies and self-awareness creates transformative results for leaders striving for the next level.
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3 Responses
We must be most careful with our time because it is finite. The good news is it is finite for everyone, a level playing field.
Money is infinite within the constraint of the only 2 things we can do with $$ — save it or spend it. There are always ways to make more $$ within the time we all have.
After these simplistic observations above, things get more complex because of choice. We choose what to do with our finite time build a business or watch sports. We choose how we will generate income, be an Owner or work for someone else. finally, we choose our behavior do we only write checks we can honor, do we keep our appointments and show up on time or are we cavalier.
OK, time to stop or I’ll write a term paper.
As always, Thanks Tom
Tom, excellent checklist to remind us that there is a price to pay when we don’t step up to our promises made to others and to ourselves. what we lose is our integrity and trustworthiness, even when it is only ourselves that we let down.
Great Article.
My son used to say I worship time. I’m adamant about being on time, showing up to an appointment of any kind. I keep my promises with deliverables, that is how I build trust and gain Clients.
Further I do not wait for people to show up. I’ll give 5 min. but that is it. If you don’y call when you will be late or not coming it is remembered. “They” need me and what I can do for them.
Thanks, TL
Best…Scooter