A million years ago when I was a youth pastor in Tucson, Arizona, one of the kids in my youth group invited me to an early morning youth pastors’ breakfast at his Christian high school. Obviously, I said I would go.
I was not a morning person. The high school was on the other side of the city from my apartment. In the shower the morning of the breakfast, I flaked out. I decided I was too tired and I couldn’t be bothered. No big deal.
Turns out, it was a big deal. The guy who invited me was hurt. I made him look like a chump. I made me look like a lowdown, no good, selfish jerk. Because that’s what I was.
When I realised what I had done and the effect it had, I apologised and owned it. But the damage could not be all the way undone for at least a couple years.
If you say you’ll do a thing, do the thing, even if it’s costly. I learned that lesson so deeply that I never forgot until I did almost the same thing to a graphic design client about seven years later. After I lost the client, the lesson finally stuck.
This will improve your Thursday.
Grow slowly
Jeff
I think most of us can relate to your lesson. I have only been able to flake out recently. Meaning, I am careful what I say I will do. I will follow through so I know the cost attached either way.