Put your commitments first

Make sure you're not overcommitted, and that you have a plan to deliver on your promises.

• Are you keeping track of your commitments? You’ll struggle to meet them all if you’re not on top of them.
• Keep them in your notebook, use an online to-do list - whatever works for you.
• Make sure you’re clear on what you’re supposed to be doing, for who, and by when.
• Larger commitments need a plan: a commitment without a plan is just an aspiration. Work out what you need to do in more detail, and set aside time to do it.
• Prioritise meeting commitments you’ve made to your team. You have a duty to look after them. Delivering will build trust; failing will undermine it.
• If you find you’re going to struggle to meet a commitment, either rearrange your work so that you’re able to do it after all, or get ready to go back to break the bad news. What could you do instead?

When to take this action

This action is from 'Commit' and should be used when you're on the critical path, when you've agreed to help, when people are waiting for you to deliver