How Good is Your Word?

Do you follow through with what you tell peopleassuming no work conflict( that was his chance to
you will do? When you say " I'll call you nextget out).
week", do you? When you say "Let's getThree weeks go by. Time to get the hotel
together soon", do you mean it or are you justreservations and golf tee times. I call the cousin
saying it to be CORDIAL? In business, when youfor a final confirmation. He advises he can t go......
tell a salesperson "Let's do some business downhe 's going to a baseball game that weekend.
the road", are you sincere. Perhaps is it an easyWhat?? Doesn't sound work related to me.
blow off to get the salesperson out of your hair?So my question is .. what exactly does 90% "in"
If you say "Let's go out Friday night", do youmean? Where is people's word these days? Does
follow through or is it all fluff?it matter what they tell others? While others
A few weeks back I had a discussion with aspend money, make plans and commitments, are
related cousin who I knew, but not overly well.they free to just change their mind, without even
The discussion was about if he wanted to go on aa care?
golf trip with the boys.For my cousin, he may not think twice about it,
Now , I've run my share of golf trips over theFor myself, I learned a wee bit more about his
years. How it usually goes is that everyone wantscharacter. I also learned about his word...... and
in the night of drinks and discussion. When it's timewhat is BEHIND IT.
to put up the deposit money, most are nowhereMy parents raised me so that if I said I was going
to be found.to do something, I better darn well do it.
Why is this? Do people not want to say no? Is itRemember the days of business deals being done
the drinks talking? Do they just want to soundon a handshake. No contracts. Just two people
cool and say they will go? Do peoples word meangiving each other their word of honor.
anything these days?My word equals my character, my reputation.
Well, this time , I figure I'll capitalize on my pastThere is a famous quote that states that is takes
experiences. At the first meeting my cousinyears to build a good reputation, and a day to ruin
states that he is 90% "in", as long as he doesn'tit. When you think about it, your word is really all
have a prior work commitment. Fair enough. Theyou have, so it should be used with caution, and
next day, I call him to confirm the previous nightstaken very seriously.
conversation, now that the beer cobwebs are allWhat about you? How good is Y O U R word??
gone. He confirms that he is serious about going ,