LTM - 9. Commitment Gives Power and Purpose

9. Commitment Gives Power and Purpose

Think of at least one major accomplishment in your life that has made

you proud of yourself. Do you have something in mind? Now, think of

the initial commitment you made when you started. On a scale of 1-10,

how committed were you?

During my career, I have worked alongside thousands of people ranging

from Little League ball players to CEOs of billion-dollar companies. One

of the things I have learned is that there is a vast difference between

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simply desiring something and being committed to achieving something.

When you just desire something, you do it only when circumstances

permit. When you commit, you accept no excuses, only results.

A commitment is a binding pledge that obligates you to assume a position

or carry out a course of action. Making a commitment to what you do—

whether in your personal life or your professional life—is one of the most

fundamental principles of success.

Commitments are powerful because they influence how you think, how

you sound, and how you act. Unlike a half-hearted hope or best shot,

making a commitment means that you try harder, look for solutions when

faced with obstacles, don’t look back, and never consider quitting as an

option.

Whether it’s a relationship or marriage, job or career venture, fitness or

health, or a personal improvement goal, the temptation to give up will

arise. You must anticipate it and make yourself a promise that the feeling

of wanting to quit will not overpower your commitment. Unfortunately

most people quit when they feel like quitting, which is why they seldom

succeed at anything.

One of the keys to fulfilling your commitments is not to undertake more

tasks than your available resources justify. The number of opportunities

and decisions we’re faced with on a daily basis increases all the time.

Given the limits of your time and attention, you’ll need to be selective

about to whom and to what you commit. It’s simply not feasible to do

everything you would like. You must decide what is truly important to

you and commit only to those things.

LTM Challenge

 Make the decision today that you will never again start a project

to which you are not fully committed. Do your research. Know

what you are getting into in advance. Consider the obstacles you

will face. Then, with your eyes wide open, set your goal, make

your commitment, put together your plan, and don’t allow excuses

to enter your mind.

 Create a Commitment Statement for each of your goals. Take a

weight-loss goal as an example. ―I commit to do whatever it takes

to lose 10 pounds in 3 months. No matter what obstacles arise

and even when I feel like quitting, I will exercise and eat healthy

so I can reach my goal.” Write your Commitment Statement on

an index card and read it every day.

The only way you will enjoy a long-term relationship with someone

is if you are committed to that relationship.

The only way you will enjoy a successful career

is if you are committed to it.

The only way you will enjoy life’s journey

is if you are committed to making the best of it

and living life to its fullest.