All Things Inspired

Excellence or mediocrity? It depends upon your level of commitment!

The first week on the topic of commitment we asked how commitment was different from discipline. Again, commitment is being dedicated to a specific cause or goal. While being disciplined is more about adhering to or obeying the rules you have set for yourself to function by in your pursuit of a cause or goal. Both discipline and commitment start with having the right mindset, a clear vision of what you want for yourself, and choosing the goal or goals you want to pursue. Commitment can be the very difference between achieving excellence and mediocrity.

This segment of the topic on commitment, we're going to talk about commitment versus contribution, and what makes a person committed. While commitment is the dedicated pledge you put toward achieving your goal, how does that compare to a contribution toward your goal? Contributing toward your goals is actively participating in achieving your goal. You've heard the saying, goals without action are just dreams. So, contribution is the action you take toward your pursuit of goals. There is a great analogy I found that describes the difference between contribution and commitment. It is also referenced in the associated video with this topic. It goes something like this...

You're having a bacon and eggs breakfast. While both the pig and the chicken were involved, the chicken made a contribution, but the pig made a commitment. The meaning behind this analogy is that the chicken contributed the eggs and went on about her day, while the pig is tossed in the frying pan and that's the end of his day. The pig made a life commitment.

What is important about each? Contributing can help you develop a sense of purpose in your pursuit of goals. It supports your planning and the steps you take in the process. Whereas commitment is important because it goes beyond the action you take to instill a set of values, responsibility to one's self, and accountability, including owning your mistakes. When you make a commitment, you are making a promise to yourself (and maybe others) that you will deliver on that promise, no matter what challenges you face.

Having values, responsibility, and accountability are all marks of a committed person. Besides the aforementioned notables, committed people tend to have priorities. Other traits associated with committed people would include the following:

Patience - committed people can slow things down and work with consistent routines to progress towards their goals.
Adaptable - committed people can adapt to any situation easily. Because they are focused on the goal, being adaptable enables them to manage distractions and overcome obstacles.
Tolerant - committed people understand that there are things they can't control and being tolerant of uncontrollable situations enables them to focus on what they can control and continue to move forward.
Dependable - you can count on committed people to follow through on their pledge. They know no other option.
Focused - committed people are by nature focused people. You won't find them experiencing the "oh look, a squirrel" moments. Distractions do not phase them.
Passionate - if you are committed, you most likely are also passionate about the very goal that you are pursuing. Passion is the driver for a committed person.
Coachable - while the committed person is focused and determined, they also realize the moments where they need support or want to be coached toward finding a better way. Being able to pivot to this adjustment, they take the advice or direction given and apply it to their pursuit. They also associate with like-minded people and glean successful ideas from associates with this experience.
Loyal - committed people are truly loyal to their objectives and to others around them that might be affected by their decisions. Loyalty is the glue that holds their commitment together.
Tough-minded - being tough-minded is the perseverance that committed people possess. People who are committed tend to apply hard work because of the habits they have formed and the loyalty they have to the process and others around them.

If you can relate yourself to some or all these traits, you might just be more committed than you believe yourself to be. Understanding the difference and/or relationship to discipline, having commitment is what keeps you dedicated to the process.

If you want to have further affirmation of your level of commitment, consider creating a statement of commitment. What is a statement of commitment? It is a public statement that basically outlines how you intend to act in your pursuit of your goal. The visibility of your statement is vital. A written statement will let others know what your intent is and how you will be accountable for your actions. An example of this type of statement can be as simple as follows:

To myself, I commit to accomplishing my goal. I commit to putting in the hard work and discipline needed to reach the goal and will not give up when adversity strikes or obstacles block my path. I will not accept anything less than success!

Now is the time to commit! You can do it if you make it a priority. Good luck and commit to...

Be inspired! Inspire others!