Commitment Has Cold Feet

Lack of commitment is detrimental to all areas of our lives because it produces poor communication, low productivity, a lack of trust, one sided relationships, and ultimately failure in all of these areas. What is your level of commitment to the various areas of your life? Do those around you struggle with commitment? To help understand ourselves better, I’ve compiled three categories of people. See if you find yourself in one or some of these.

1. Copouts
A cop out neglects problems, responsibilities, and commitments. A cop out won’t set goals and refuses to make decisions.

2. Holdouts.
Holdouts aren’t just trying to avoid commitment, they are afraid of commitment.  

3. Dropouts
Dropouts quit when things get tough.

Do you feel at home in any of these categories? Do you recognize these people in your organization? If so, let me give you three simple ways to begin constructing a life of commitment.

1. Name Your Commitments
Commitment begins with setting specific, achievable goals. It is hard to commit when you haven’t fully defined what you are committing to. When you clearly define what you want to accomplish, it helps create a framework for what your commitments should follow. This is true for your personal development, career advancement, relationships, or any area of your life.

2. Announce Your Commitments
When you decide to do something make it public. Letting others know of your new commitment creates accountability. It is said that Thomas Edison followed this same formula. When he had a good idea for a new invention he would announce it to those around him, and then get to work. Because it was public, he was more committed to the goal. We all need people around us to both challenge and cheer us.

3. Measure Your Commitments

• Keep track of the actions you're taking toward your commitment. This could be daily, weekly, or monthly actions depending on the nature of your commitment.
  
  
• Have a monthly personal review. Set an appointment with yourself that is non-negotiable and stick to it. Then be honest with yourself asking did I move forward or backwards. Ask yourself what success did I have? What failures did I experience? What lessons did I learn? How can you take that and apply it to the month ahead of you?
  
  
• Celebrate Wins. Allow yourself to celebrate the progress that you are making. We are often so focused on the destination that we don’t enjoy the journey.
  Ask for feedback.
   
• Allow others to provide feedback on the commitment that you publicly communicated. Having input from other perspectives is valuable.

Remember that you become whatever you are committed to. If you commit to nothing you will become nothing. If you commit to success you will be successful. Go commit and find success.

Brandon