When you tell yourself that you’re going to do something, you need to get it done. A good promise usually fits into some patterns. Here are three, amongst may others, that work for me (that I’m writing in second person):

• It’s in your control. For example, completing and publishing a draft is in your control, how people receive it or how many people read it is not. While other people may want to measure outcomes (for good reasons), it’s best for you to measure outputs (so you don’t obsess about things you can’t control).
• There’s more than enough focus, energy, and time to get it done. If there isn’t, then making the smallest amount of progress—showing up—is enough. Deprioritize the other stuff.
• There’s a clear next step. If there isn’t, and the decision is reversible, then you shouldn’t just wait around. Make a decision—write down the rationale—and move it forward. If someone else needs to make a decision, it’s your responsibility to follow up (every day, if it’s important).

A friend of mine once wrote, “How you do anything is how you do everything.” That statement really applies to the promises you keep to yourself.

One foundation of confidence relies on trusting yourself to do what you say you’re going to do.