Keeping Your Word at Work Video

Have you ever broken a promise at work? Perhaps you forgot that you agreed to cover for a coworker while they were on vacation, or maybe you got into work late even though you assured your boss you'd arrive 10 minutes early that day.

When you keep your word at work, you develop a reputation for being dependable and trustworthy. But when you break your promises, you lose the respect of your colleagues, damage morale, and, if you're a manager, may even instill similar bad behaviors in your team.

This isn't always malicious. Perhaps you really did intend to hand that report in on time even though you knew you had too much on your plate already. Regardless, repeatedly letting down your team and yourself could spell disaster for your career.

So, if you've developed a habit of overpromising and underdelivering, here are five tips to help you keep your word at work.

First, get organized. Before you jump to take on another task, consult your to-do list   and ask yourself whether you really have the necessary time and resources. Don't be afraid to politely decline or offer a compromise. This is still better than missing deadlines you knew you were never going to meet.

Motivate yourself. You'll be much more inclined to fulfill your promises if you're enthusiastic about your work. Instead of agreeing to things because you think it will make you look good, consider how they could benefit you in the long run. For example, could the task give you the chance to flex your creative muscles or help you to achieve one of your goals?

Don't overpromise. If you're a people pleaser, you may find it difficult to admit that you don't have the capacity to help a colleague in need. But honesty is the best policy and a respectful "no"   is always better than a dishonest "yes." Even if you can't help directly, you might be able to point your team member in the direction of someone who can.

Stick to your principles. It's easy to let yourself off the hook for breaking your promise by making excuses, but this won't limit the damage done to your team members or your reputation. Use your values   and principles to guide your actions. Develop accountability and hold yourself to a high standard.

Finally, be sincere. Sometimes you have no choice but to break your promise. Whether it's faulty tech or an unexpected absence, it's crucial to recognize when you've let someone down even if it wasn't your fault. Explain what happened and if possible, offer up a solution.

To learn more about keeping your word at work, read the article   that accompanies this video.