What's the Statute of Limitations on Bullshit?

We’re all guilty of saying time after time that, “I am going to do this,” or, “I am going to do that,” but we don’t always follow through. It really amazes me how often somebody says they’re going to do something and it just doesn’t happen. All the broken promises are just so frustrating.

Now, let’s be real, we’re all guilty of that from time to time, myself included. But, it doesn’t take much to make an effort to follow through on something. Doing so helps to build trust and credibility with the people around you—your friends, family, co-workers, clients, etc.

Don’t even get me started on “New Year’s Resolutions” because I don’t believe in them. You should be making a commitment to accomplish the things you want to accomplish ­year-round.

So, STOP saying things like:

• You’re going to visit a relative you know you should see, but you put it off.
• “I’m going to lose five pounds.” …just before your trip to McDonald’s.

Instead, start actually doing productive things:

• Visiting your friend in their new home.
• Leave work early to surprise your kid and pick them up at school.
• Want to lose those five pounds? Get to the gym! And not just once a month!
• Bring your wife home flowers for no reason.
• Surprise your husband or wife with a nice dinner reservation (…yes, a real date with your spouse!)
• Keep yourself healthy: get that important colonoscopy exam that you’ve been putting off and get a check-up at your dermatologist.
• Walk into your boss’s office and ask what you need to do to get to the next level.
• Meet up with those friends from college that you’re always talking about seeing.
• Take a personal day, but make a plan—and have fun!

We all have issues where we procrastinate and don’t get anything done. Pick your head out of the damn ground! I know that I am going to make every effort to actually follow through on through on the things I say I want to accomplish. I want you to do the same. Take the 60-day challenge. Pick two things—one easy and one difficult—that you are going to commit to getting done and just get it done. Make that commitment and that promise. Trust me, you’re going to feel a lot better about yourself once you follow through on this.

On my end it might be best to avoid scheduling anything with me until the end of October…in case you haven’t heard, the great Derek Jeter is retiring and I plan to be at Yankee Stadium as much as possible this year. That is a promise you can bet I’ll keep!