A few years ago a rather quirky, low budget movie called \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cNapoleon Dynamite\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d came on the scene.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 The film featured a somewhat backward carrot topped teen, his unusual family, and several of his colorful friends living some hilarious experiences.<\/p>\n
One of the segments focused on Napoleon\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s friend, Pedro, as he campaigned for Student Body President against the most popular girl in school, named Summer.<\/p>\n
During their closing speeches, Summer promised that if she were elected, she would provide new cheerleader uniforms for the entire team, two new soda machines in the cafeteria, and if you voted for her, \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cit will be Summer all year long.\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d<\/p>\n
Pedro, who was very poor, but not to be outdone, promised that if you voted for him, \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cyour wildest dreams will come true\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d Needless to say, with Napoleon\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s extraordinary help, Pedro won by a landslide.<\/p>\n
This example of a political promise is not too far afield from most promises made by many of those who seek public office.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 As most of us know, what is promised and what is delivered usually leaves something to be desired.<\/p>\n
What has happened to those days when a person\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s word was their bond?\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Those days when you could take someone\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s word to the bank???<\/p>\n
Many people in society today have become desensitized to people\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s tendency to ignore broken agreements; but, to the literal mind of a child, broken promises can cause profound hurt, disillusionment, and disappointment when their expectations are not met, even the smallest ones.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 I can also guarantee you that modeling that behavior will teach them something they\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2ll remember.<\/p>\n
So these illustrations beg the question, is there any difference between a promise, a contract, an agreement, a vow, or a pledge?\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 The answer is a resounding NO!\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 They are essentially all the same; but to some they carry different values.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Each is a pledge to complete a task or deliver a result that you make to yourself or another person.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 All are counting on your ability to deliver what you promised; however, too many people feel that it is okay to break a small promise and only honor those agreements that carry consequences with them.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 What\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s the difference?\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 In either case, to break an agreement always creates disharmony on every level.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 You will face the consequences whether the incident occurs in business or personal life.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Look at the divorce rate holding steady at 47% since WWII and that will tell you how serious people take their vows.<\/p>\n
In many quarters of our society the measure of a person\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s character is still revealed by their willingness to stand by their agreements.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Is your word really your bond?<\/p>\n
Look for the next article about how to set up agreements that work from Frank Brogni, ACC, CPC, family relations coach and co-founder of World Class Parenting, where we believe that from the boardroom to the bedroom, from the lunch table to the kitchen table, it\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s all the same<\/p>\n