We often make promises to ourselves to start a new life "from tomorrow," assuring ourselves that change will come when tomorrow arrives.

The Accountability Divide: Self-Promises vs. Social Obligations

We often make promises to ourselves to start a new life "from tomorrow," assuring ourselves that change will come when tomorrow arrives. However, such promises remain nothing more than words because they lack external accountability and control – they are merely an internal persuasion that allows us to postpone real actions into an indefinite future. This approach turns into a habit of procrastination, where we can easily delay important changes and let the current day's flow carry away our intentions to improve.

On the other hand, commitments made toward others are imbued with significant responsibility because they are backed not only by our conscience but also by societal expectations. It is precisely the pressure of external norms and self-discipline that compels us to avoid lingering over decisive steps and to act immediately. Instead of justifying ourselves with the habit of postponing what is important until tomorrow, we take an active stance by acknowledging the significance of the moment and the necessity to change right now.

In summary, one can say that internal promises often lack strength and can be easily deferred, whereas obligations to others become a powerful impetus for immediate action and change. We must choose for ourselves: allow tomorrow to serve as an excuse for inaction, or take responsibility for our lives and begin to change today!

How do the promises made to oneself "from tomorrow" differ from the commitments undertaken toward others?

Promises made to oneself "from tomorrow" are essentially based solely on our personal will and inner impulse, and therefore they can easily be postponed or not fulfilled at all. We may assure ourselves that "tomorrow" we will begin to change or start an important task, yet in this framing there is no external compulsion or accountability to anyone. It is a kind of deferral of action, where the hope for a better tomorrow serves as an excuse for doing nothing today.

At the same time, commitments made toward others possess a more substantial character precisely because they are not merely expressions of personal desire but come with a responsibility toward other people and even higher moral expectations. This type of obligation is driven by an innate conscience, present from birth, as well as by external societal expectations. As explained in one excerpt, "And shall we not say tomorrow again: tomorrow?.. Surely we shall say. The present day assures us of that. For we said yesterday: tomorrow. No, in this case tomorrow will be the same, and we — the same. No other time will make us any different. We ourselves must change ourselves and do so without wasting time" (source: link txt). This stresses that personal promises often remain mere words, justified by the current moment, and do not lead to real change.

Moreover, another passage vividly illustrates the difference by showing our tendency to delay important, god-approved tasks: "Tomorrow... But what about today? The old life, the old tasks, the old pleasures? … We simply will not say: tomorrow!.. Everything that is good, useful, and god-pleasing is postponed until tomorrow, whereas what is worldly, even sinful, is for today" (source: link txt). In other words, promises made to oneself become a habit of deferral, while obligations toward others entail an urgent sense of duty and responsibility that compel us to act without delay.

In conclusion, promises made to oneself allow us to postpone actions due to the absence of external verification, whereas obligations toward others, under the pressure of conscience and social norms, demand prompt and conscientious fulfillment. This distinction ultimately shapes our approach to personal plans and social responsibilities.