After someone promises to do something — depending on who it is — you might consider asking one or both of these questions:

“When will you do it?”

“How will you do it?”

So often, the tension is released when someone says, “Yes. I’ll do that.”

Some people have poor scheduling skills. Or they struggle with identifying strategies and logistics.

Or they have issues with both.

Asking “When?” and “How?” is generous. It helps to keep others on the hook and it clarifies expectations for both sides.

Making a promise isn’t doing the thing. Doing the thing is doing the thing … and that often needs a timeline and a plan.