It’s good to have people you can depend on. It’s reassuring. I think the vast majority of us prefer the company of people who actually follow through and do what they say they will. The people who won’t leave you high and dry by failing to do something.

But you know what? That list of people you can count on? It should include YOU, right at the very top. You can be someone that you yourself can depend on. There might even be times when you’ll be the only person on your list.

When you tell yourself that you’re going to do something, barring some major problem, make accomplishing that goal a top priority. I’m convinced there are psychological benefits to adopting this attitude. It’s about building accountability with yourself.

Every time you set out to do something, persevere, and accomplish it, you build credibility with yourself. And on the flip-side, every time you tell yourself you’ll do something and then give up on it, you lose credibility with yourself. It’s as though your subconscious maintains an invisible credit score.

One of my goals this year is to, once a week on average, compose something for this blog. Usually a post, but sometimes a page. I’ve told myself I’m going to do it, and I intend to keep my word to myself. We’re not even halfway through February with a lot of year left, but I trust myself on this one. I won’t let myself down. And you shouldn’t let yourself down either.