A Commitment is More Than a Notion!
February 29, 2016
“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” By Ken Blanchard
Think about what you have made a commitment to do in 2016; this month; this week; or even today. Think about what you want to make a commitment to do right now. Moving forward from any position requires a commitment to proceed. Think about the area of your life in which you would like to make significant accomplishments: life, personal balance, family relationships, social relationships, health and physical wellness, career and business, financial wellness, emotional wellness, spiritual wellness, intellectual growth, community engagement or recreation and relaxation. Each of these areas in their own space needs a solid commitment for growth. Take one at a time. Challenge yourself to make a specific commitment for each area.
Why is it that we tell ourselves we want certain things but we don’t take action? We might have the best of intentions to make certain changes in our lives, yet we do not follow through on our thoughts, commitments and actions. All is not lost. We have to intentionally work on ourselves first. When you fully commit to something, action always follows your thought. There is no question, no debate, no doubt or struggle that you cannot find a response for when you consider what must be done. You don’t wonder whether or not you will take action or not.
Commitment goes beyond making a choice. It is giving yourself to the cause and your purpose and then making specific and measurable things happen. We gain an inner strength and resolve to make something happen when we make a commitment. Commitment is a unique personal experience which comes from a deep emotional awareness within yourself. Often our commitments are invisible to us and we don’t think about them as commitments, it is what we do naturally, almost automatically and effortlessly.
It is time to discover the underlying structure of your own personal commitment strategy. Understanding and modeling your personal commitment strategy will help you create and resolve to follow through and achieve your goals. Commitment needs to exhibit three properties or characteristics to create and sustain change according to theorists:
1. Visibility – It must be observable by those it is intended to influence
2. Understandability – It must be fully understood by those it is intended to influence
3. Irreversibility (NO EXIT!) – It cannot be easy to change your mind. Put actions behind what you say, think and do. Your word should mean something you can count on!
Here are some scriptures to help you focus on your commitment strategy for every area of your life.
Proverbs: 16:3 - Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Isaiah 43:19 - See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Proverbs 18:21 - The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 2:20 - Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
Would you like help in developing your commitment strategy for success?Schedule your laser coaching session today and discover the difference between commitment and interest: coachsp@igrowcoaching.com . Dr. Sandra Sessoms-Penny
Posted by Sandra Sessoms-Penny.
