Why Commitment Isn’t Enough
I remember reading a story in David Goggins’ book, Can’t Hurt Me. He talked about how his running friends would check the weather at night to see what the weather would be the next day. He thought that was silly. His thoughts were (paraphrased), “I’m going to run no matter what, so I don’t need to know what the weather is going to be. It doesn’t matter what temperature it is. Or if it is raining, snowing, sleeting or hailing. I’m going to be out there pounding the pavement anyways.”
Wow, now that’s true commitment. Unconditional commitment.
It made me look deep at my own level of commitment. I realized that most of us are conditional committers. We say we are committed except when we don’t feel like it. Or when we are tired. Or when we were up too late. Or when the kids really needed us. Or when our back hurts. Or when…
The list could go on and on.
The truth is that most of us are committed to do the hard things in our business only when it is comfortable. When we can predict the outcome. When it feels good. When we feel like doing them.
Ouch. Right?
It’s not fun to see where the holes in our commitment lie. But it’s actually helpful to start to get to the truth of it. I know for me, I can be conditionally committed around outcome especially. If I think I can get a good result – sure I’m in. But if I don’t know what will happen at the other end – my commitment waivers. I intentionally remind myself to be committed to the PROCESS, not just the OUTCOME. Especially when I’m doing new things. This has helped SO much when it comes to doing new launches, events, programs, and sponsorships. It takes the pressure down considerably. And has ultimately made me so much more successful.
How about you?
What areas of your business or life are you conditionally committed to?
How can you move towards being more unconditionally committed?
Just think on that for a few minutes or better yet grab a piece of paper and jot it down. It’s something we really don’t think about enough.
This Week’s Challenge:
Play with this concept. Notice where you are conditional and unconditional in your commitments. How is this affecting your output? How is this affecting reaching your goals? What does this bring up?
Join the discussion in our Facebook Group (you’ll need to answer a few questions if you aren’t a member yet) and let us know your results!
For many – a day of conditional commitment brings up shame, blame and self-criticism by the end of the day:
“Why didn’t I get more done?”
“Why does time seem to get by me?”
“How come I’m not further by now!”
It all starts in one moment – that moment of wavering commitment. That moment in which you decide, “No, I don’t feel like doing this thing on my to-do list. I’ll do something else.” And once you can start to see these moments, you can make a different decision. And with each new decision, you move closer to unconditional commitment.
Most importantly you move closer to being proud of yourself at the end of the day. Knowing that you gave it your all. Did enough. Maybe even did more than enough.
So here’s to bringing awareness to your conditionality and, finally, getting more done.
