C's The Day

Today's Word is Commitment

“Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision and gives the “right stuff” to turn our dreams into reality.” - James Womack

In addition to exploring commitment, we will make a very important distinction between commitment and willpower. Commitment is defined in The Webster’s Dictionary as, “a pledge or promise, engagement or involvement.” Willpower on the other hand is defined as, “the strength of will to carry out one's decisions, wishes, or plans.” Both can be helpful when it comes to achieving any goal; however commitment is the key to sustaining lasting and fulfilling change. When you are committed you stay to true to not only an ideal or situation, but to yourself.

More times than I can count a client will say to me, “I don’t have the willpower, I am not disciplined enough.” When you live from a place of should and force, it does not take long to exhaust motivation and to grow to resent whatever activity you should be doing. Creating purpose of action leads to true motivation; willpower may be utilized initially, but it will not need to be relied on in order to achieve goals. It is not a lack of strength and fortitude; it is a lack of understanding of the purpose, meaning and value the goal in question will provide. When you are relying on willpower, what you are really relying on is, I have to and the driving factor is very different than a goal or project that has been carefully understood and crafted to be in line with your goals, values and strengths. When we work from a place of purpose, passion and enjoyment, actions come more easily and results are magnified. It is not to say that there will not be times in your life when you will need to forge ahead and to consistently apply willpower, but relying on willpower for the long term inevitably leads to exhaustion, resentment and disappointment. Commitment is a natural result of being self-aware and creating a vision for yourself.

Danish Ahmed said, “Commitment is an interest with the highest priority.” You may be interested in doing and achieving many things, but it is only those goals you are truly committed to that you will attain.

Today Ask Yourself:

1. What activities require great willpower for you to maintain or accomplish?
2. Have you created a vision or attached value to this task – other than I should?
3. Can you find reasons to be committed, reasons that make you feel empowered?
4. What activities are you truly committed to and why?
5. Are these activities easier to accomplish or finish?

You are not lazy and/or unmotivated as a general rule! We certainly all have moments of that, but when it comes to movement and energy in your life, you have probably noticed that where there is interest of the highest priority, there is success. If you are struggling to remain committed to a project it may be time to re-evaluate your reasons and intentions behind this idea.

A movie that demonstrates what can be achieved when an individual has purpose and ultimate vision around their actions is, The Blind Side. Once football star Michael Oher has a clear vision for his future, his commitment to previously "have to" tasks changes and he harnesses the motivation and drive needed to complete the steps to achieve his goal.

Life Coaching is a great way to discover the true motivations behind your goals and to increase commitment. If you are interested, please contact me at, http://www.onpurposelifecoach.com/

“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.”
- Peter F. Drucker