Cancelling a Commitment

One of the things I hate doing the most is cancelling a commitment. I like to keep my word. I like to maintain a reputation of being loyal and dependable .

However, as demands for a startup leader’s time grows, it becomes impossible to fully satisfy every direct or indirect commitment.

Sometimes priorities shift and the commitment falls below the necessary level of importance. Or the nature of the commitment shifts to become unmanageable.

Here are some thoughts on how to cancel commitments:

• Be honest. Simply tell the other party that your circumstances are such that you cannot meet the commitment.
• Give the other party notice as early as possible.
• Remember the commitments that you make so that you keep them and people remember your reputation for naming, numbering, and fulfilling commitments.
• Ask others for help in fulfilling commitments.
• Use simple calendaring tools like ScheduleOnce to maintain an accurate and easy calendar.
• Use simple task management tools like Remember the Milk to make sure you don’t drop important items.

What are your thoughts on effective ways to cancel commitments?