When you’re asking people for a commitment, consider phrasing the ask this way, “can I count on you to_____.”

If the answer is anything but yes, then you can assume the answer is no.

Why is the question so powerful?

Because when we believe others are counting on us, we are more likely to go out of our way to make the thing they’re asking us to do happen. If we can’t make that commitment, we’re likely to do anything else but say, “No, you can’t count on me for that.”

I believe we should be better about letting people know when they can’t count on us… and I think we need to be better at accepting when people tell us that.

Many of our problems are easily solved when we are truthful about communicating and accepting what can and cannot be expected from each other.

Can I count on you to make that part of your life?