You SAID you were going to...

Life is hectic. Once in a while we all forget to do something we said we would do. It’s unfortunate, but it happens. Generally it’s not a big deal. Annoying, but we need to be understanding towards each other. Right? But for some people, not doing what you say you will is a way of life.

I have one brother who is like that. When I was a teenager and he was out on his own, I used to laugh to myself when our dad would ask him to do something...like play tennis. My brother always said sure, but he needed to go home to get his racket. Dad wouldn’t see him again for a week. (My other brother would always tell dad "no", but then end up doing it anyway--that's another story.) Since he’s older, I helped him move many times before I ever asked him to help me move. The first time he said yes, but then I couldn’t find him. During my second move I called to ask where he was and he said he was running late, but would be right over after breakfast. He never showed. Later he said his wife suddenly got sick and he didn’t want to leave her home alone. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. I told my brother I can’t believe him when he says he’s going to do something. He got mad.

I have a co-worker who ends calls by saying she has to go (for a variety of reasons) and will call back you back. She never does. I teased her by asking “What do the words ‘I’ll call you back’ mean to you?” She got mad.

I have another co-worker who always volunteers to handle questions that come up in meetings. But then he doesn't follow through and do the work. The office ends up having to scramble at the last minute to complete the assignment he didn’t do. The guy got a bad evaluation for being unreliable and causing problems completing projects. My co-worker got mad. He thought he should get points for volunteering!

Why do some people think they should not be expected to do the things they say they will do??? It’s such a bad habit. Don’t SAY it if you aren’t going to DO it!!!

Can you tell this is a pet peeve? LOL. I have forgotten about things once in a while, but it’s rare. I’ve always felt it’s important to honor your commitments. One Sunday morning when I was 10, my other brother and I went to ask if the four boys next door could play football. They couldn’t because they had not finished raking the leaves in their yard. We lived near the woods and our houses were surrounded by huge oak trees…so there were LOTS of leaves. My brother and I said we would help them rake and haul the leaves into the woods. Soon we stopped for a light lunch. Two of the brothers didn’t come back out after lunch. A little later my brother and one of the other boys went into the house to get a drink. They didn’t come back. Before long, the last of the neighbor boys had to use the bathroom and didn’t return--I could hear them playing down the street. The boys’ father and I were the only two still working. He told me I could quit, but I told him I said I would help with the leaves and we were not done yet. Shortly after that his wife took the rake away from me and told me to go home. I sat on a tree stump waiting for her to go inside so I could get back to work, but she outlasted me and I finally did go home.

Yes, I was a weird kid. I’m not that stubborn (or dependable) today. But I do try to remember two things:

If you have a job to do…do it!
If you say you are going to do something…DO it!!!

If I tell you I am going to do something, you can bet on it--but only your lunch money, because you never know when fate is going to intervene to stop you! =)