Be accountable for what you say. If you say you will do something by a certain time, then do it. If you can’t get it done, then own up to it, apologize for not making your deadline, and get it done. Don’t make excuses or give explanations. If you’re up front about it, and if you don’t do it often, friends will forgive you. If you find yourself unable to do this, it may be time to rethink what you are doing. Maybe you are setting unrealistic deadlines for yourself; maybe you are just telling people what you think they want to hear; maybe you are taking on more than you can do right now. Whether you need to buckle down and meet those commitments or you need to stop making those commitments, that is a question only you can answer and act on. How is being accountable to yourself as well as others important to you?