What is commitment? According to The Free Dictionary, commitment is “The state of being bound emotionally or intellectually to a course of action or to another person or persons.”
Benefits of Commitment
Commitment is important to help unleash our true potential. When we understand the power of commitment, we realize that it is impossible to achieve success in life or attain our goals without it.
Commitment is much more than a mental exercise; it is a personal quality, “a trait of sincere and steadfast fixity of purpose.” When it is combined with a precise proclamation of intention, commitment can produce a sense of meaningful purpose in our lives. “If you deny yourself commitment, what can you do with your life?” Harvey Fierstein.
The Influence of Commitment
Commitments are powerful because they control how we think, how we sound and how we act. When we make a commitment, we try harder; we look for solutions when obstacles arise. We do not consider quitting as an option, and we do not look back.
A real commitment gives us a script for how we deal with things when times get tough. Therefore, it is important to anticipate the temptations to give up and promise ourselves that the feeling of wanting to quit will not overpower our commitments. “Once you have commitment, you need the discipline and hard work to get you there.” Haile Gebrselassie.
How to Fulfill Our Commitment
In the quest to fulfill our commitments, we have to avoid over committing ourselves. We must select to what and whom we commit. Because of the limitations of our time and attention, it is not possible to do everything we would like. Consequently, we must decide what is of paramount importance to us and commit only to those things.
In addition, we need to know the resources that are available to help us to achieve our goals whether they are human or material resources. When we make a commitment, we accept no excuses, only results. We make commitment to what we do, whether it is in our personal or professional lives, because it is one of the most fundamental principles of success. “There’s no abiding success without commitment.” Tony Robbins
How to Manage Commitment
It is important to manage our commitments because they are something that we must deal with or do that takes our time. Therefore, it is necessary to take the time to ask ourselves, “What do I really want to do?” Alternatively, “What am I passionate about?” We must create goals with checkpoints to achieve success.
Goal setting will help to keep us focused. It also requires a lot of thought and planning. Consequently, each goal we set towards our commitments will serve as a remainder and motivation to do what is necessary to keep us committed. “Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes… but no plan.” Peter Drucker.
“Commitment is an act, not a word.” Jean-Paul Sartre. Personal commitments are the most important because they stem from within. They involve the investment of time and energy towards something we want to pursue. The accomplishment of our commitment is most successful when backed by passion and inspiration. “You need to make a commitment, and once you make it, then life will give you some answers.” Les Brown.
Comments
Excellent advice Nichola, commitment is so important for reaching our goals. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Nichola for this excellent blog. Although, there are not enough words to stress how important commitment is to reaching our goals, you have put it very well.
Thanks to everyone for your kindness, support and your wonderful comments on my post. I am very appreciative that you took the time to read it, and I hope you got some value from it.
Great article Nichola, and so true that Commitment is an Action and not just a word. Love the quote by Les Brown, he is one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing. Liked and Shared.
I enjoyed reading your post Nichola and glad to have you as an associate of mine. Have a week ahead.
You are so right, Nichola. We can not make a difference in our lives or those of others without commitment.
Nichola--This is an important article...making commitments is a major key to taking control of your actions & life path...falling into things is a hit-and-miss proposition, mostly miss...commitment is concrete motivation and focuses one's attention on the task at hand...fear of commitment usually results in some form of distraction, leaving things half done, apathy, and often chaos (as a result of aimlessness) and a feeling of general malaise...better to have taken the plunge into a project and not succeeding than never having tried at all...one man's opinion...
The quote by Les Brown says a lot on commitment. I enjoyed reading your post Nichola and glad to have you here in the community. Keep up the great writing and I will surely keep reading. Have a great day and week ahead.
Commitments are part of life. Business in ways, is like marriage. If you don't work at marriage chances are you will live an unhappy life [generally alone]. In business if you don't put the work into it you will be unhappy in the pocketbook or wallet department. In the end how committed you are will show. Many internet companies don't make it five years in business. Make sure you define your goals and make them achievable. Your commitment is what will ensure your success.
Great PR, Nichola! Love the quote from Les Brown. He is one of my favorite motivational speakers. Thanks for sharing and challenging us to make commitment but beware of over-commitment.