What is it about stating one's intentions explicitly by taking a vow that is supposed help actualize nonviolent behavior?

QUESTION

What is it about stating one's intentions explicitly by taking a vow that is supposed help actualize nonviolent behavior?

By stating the vow of nonviolence explicitly and asking those who are close to you to remind you when you are deviating from those principles of nonviolence, accelerates the process of evolution. Recently when I found myself being combative as a result of the personal attacks in the Wall Street Journal , my wife and children kept reminding me I had taken the vow. I found that very useful in mitigating my aggressive tendencies.

Deepak Chopra