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Reading Room Articles The Power of Your Word By Douglas D. Chasick, CPM®, Advanced RAM®, CLP® Written for Sales and Marketing Magic After many years of being on the planet, I've come to the conclusion that the only possession we own that is worth anything is our word. Unfortunately, it seems like many people seem to worry more about scratching their car than keeping their word! We've all heard the old cliché about "engaging our brain before opening our mouth"; it applies to things that come out of our mouth that probably shouldn't have. Well, this doesn't apply only to dumb or nasty things; it applies to PROMISES as well. How many times have you heard someone say, "I'll be there at 10:00 am", and then that person doesn't write it down, doesn't show up (or is late) and THEN becomes offended when their excuse for not showing up or being late is not accepted? What would life be like if we treated EVERY WORD that came out of our mouth as a promise? (Whether or not we said "I promise") Is it that hard to believe that many people take what we say seriously, that they plan their schedules based upon what we say, that they make promises to other people based upon what we say? Part of the problem with keeping our word is the way we communicate with each other. Someone once said that the definition of integrity is someone who "Says what they mean and means what they say". If that's the case, does the fact that more people worry about how what they say will affect someone instead of "telling it like it is" mean that we suffer a shortage of integrity? My assertion is that clear, clean (non-malicious, non-threatening, supportively and constructively judgmental) communication is the way to go - and my experience is that most people appreciate that kind of communication. So, if you want to treat your word like it is your most valuable possession, here are some suggestions: • Listen to yourself talk, and don't be afraid to say, "Wait a minute, let me make sure I can deliver this". Check your schedule, make a phone call to whoever else could affect you keeping your word; MAKE SURE YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU WILL DO! • If you have something critical to say, make certain the setting is right and say what you have to say in as few words as possible. Just because you're succinct doesn't mean you're rude; just because you're direct doesn't mean you're MEAN! • Take a moment (RIGHT NOW, please!) to reflect on what you would have to change in order for you to ALWAYS "Say what you mean and mean what you say". What would that look like to you? Envision the sun rising and setting based on what you say - everything you say - what would it take for your life to be like that? • Let other people know that you take what they say seriously -- that you count on what they say. The more people you can enroll in your crusade for clear, clean DEPENDABLE communication, the easier your life will be. • They (who exactly is "they"?) say that if you do or don't do something for twenty one consecutive days, it will become a new habit. Try communicating like this for twenty one consecutive days and let's see if "they" are right. Oh, and by the way, your car is gonna get scratched no matter what you do -- that's life! To read more articles from this author please visit www.smmonline.com. The Sales & Marketing Magic Companies, shares more than 20 years of experience in multifamily housing, encompassing leasing, marketing, management, training, authoring, consulting, developing, and Brainstorming! For more information on Sales & Marketing Magic for Apartment Managers; the latest Tools & Forms Catalogue; The Annual Multifamily Housing Brainstorming Sessions™; or to receive top ideas, FREE, via e-mail, please call 727-784-9469 or visit www.SMMOnline.com.