Commitment

COMMITMENT 

Most people are dabblers who pretend to be committed.  Dabblers are in the game but are not in the game to win it.   They say they are committed to an outcome and then use softeners with themselves when they don’t achieve the result.  Top softeners (stories/excuses people use to make themselves feel better) include:

• Lack of time – “I don’t have time to…exercise, meditate, journal, read, create a plan”
• Blaming – “If my husband/wife/boss/co-worker/kids would…then I could…”
• Busyness – “So much came up this week, I had to do this, and this, and this, and this, and this…”
• Trying – “I tried it for a couple weeks and it didn’t work; I’m going to try this now”

With so many justifiable excuses, how does anyone create commitment? 

A commitment starts with a strong, compelling result.  Most people create vague results that feel too big and far away for them to achieve.  These statements include: “I want a happy marriage” or “I want to earn $25K per month.”  Neither is specific enough to produce momentum.  Instead create a specific, emotionally charged, measurable result that gets you excited to plan.  Consider: “I am a fun, loving passionate spouse creating magical moments each day of my marriage” or “I am a top producer earning 10K per month and attracting my ideal client through outstanding service and continual referrals.”  Ask for what you really want.  Make it juicy, make it powerful, and make it you. 

Commitment comes when the cost of not achieving the goal is greater than the fleeting pleasure gained from moments of instant gratification.  The average person receives 279 exabytes of information daily (the equivalent of 17 newspapers) so it easy to be distracted when you aren’t 100% committed to your outcome. It’s important to clearly articulate what it will cost you if you don’t achieve the result.  Document what you will miss out on, what it will cost your family, and how your life will be negatively impacted by not achieving your result.  Keep your painful triggers close to help filter out distractions when they come.    

Commitment is created when your purpose for achieving the result is so strong it pulls you into action.  It is imperative you are clear on “why“ you MUST achieve your result.  Your “why” is your purpose and serves as the fuel on the days you don’t want to do the work or when you feel like giving up.  Create a list of 6-12 reasons “why” you MUST achieve your result. 

Commitment happens when you decide you are willing to do whatever it takes to reach your intended desired outcome.  You can do everything but you can’t do it all at once.  Declaring your commitment is your conscious decision to say YES to your result and NO to everything else.  It’s important to consider inner conflicts – you won’t achieve your result if your fear of what you have to give up is greater than your desire to achieve your result.  Make a list of the sacrifices necessary to achieve your result.  Be truthful with yourself, are you willing to do what it takes? 

Commitment is solidified when you declare it to others.  Declare your intentions to others who will support you and hold you accountable for achieving it.  Find a chief accountability partner/coach and create regular check-ins.  We will do more when we know others are depending on us than we will do if we are left on our own. 

With this as your guide, what are you committed to achieving?  Take action TODAY!