Success is the result of making and keeping commitments to yourself and others, while all failed or unfinished goals, projects, and relationships are the direct result of broken obligations. It’s that simple, that profound, and that important.
A commitment made must become a commitment honored, as each one counts in more ways than you can possibly imagine. Your ability to honor your promises directly impacts your credibility, reputation, trustworthiness, earning ability, and overall peace of mind.
Character defines an individual; honoring commitments helps to define character.
Every day, you make commitments to customers, family members, and associates. Some are explicit, others implied; but each one ultimately results in success or failure.
Nothing builds confidence and loyalty more reliably than a history of well-kept promises; and by the same token, nothing will undermine your reputation faster than a string of broken commitments.
If you look at successful people in any field, you may not discover that they’re necessarily the brightest, best looking, fastest, or strongest of the bunch.
What you will find, however, is that they are the ones with the deepest reservoir of commitment. They fully understand that all great accomplishment is preceded by great commitment.
So, how great is the power of your commitment?
“Disposable” is a word suited to describe many of today’s products. From razors to diapers, from milk cartons to toner cartridges, it seems that disposability is being built into the very fabric of society.
Have commitments and promises fallen into the same trap?
Is it really “no big deal” to make a pledge and then discard it; to make a promise and simply walk away from it?
Commitment is a virtue—one that requires fulfillment and punishes unfaithfulness. For many, it’s going to take a dramatic shift to embrace the importance of commitments and internalize the meaning of permanence.
A man without his word is fundamentally worthless. It’s like having a stain on your reputation that no amount of bleach could ever remove.
If your word is not supported by action—if you take a cavalier attitude toward your obligations—then the party’s over. You may as well stick a fork in your reputation, because no one will be interested in working with you.
Your word is a form of capital. It’s money in the bank for someone who is counting on it. That being said, you should only invest your capital where and when it counts most or it will lose its value.
And because your word is like currency, you must give it only when the occasion is important enough to call for it.
The person to whom you are promising something must be able to recognize that your word has real value, and that it’s not counterfeit.
You certainly don’t give money out to every Tonya, Dick, and Harry; you should treat your promises with the same level of respect.
Remember, what you don’t protect, you don’t get to keep. A reputation is a terrible thing to waste.
You had best learn not to say you will deliver on something you know you can’t—whether it’s promising to pay someone back, keep a secret, or saying you’ll do a favor on which you have no intention of following through.
Consider this: What’s the point of making a commitment or promise if you don’t even plan to honor it?
This question applies to your relationship with others just as much as it does to your relationship with yourself.
The greatest and most unfortunate betrayal is that of oneself. Being able to adhere to our commitments begins with self-respect.
When we say one thing and do another—when we start projects but don’t finish them; when we go on a diet but quit soon after beginning—then the only thing at which we become successful is sabotaging our reputation with ourselves.
And when we dishonor our own commitments and lie to ourselves, how on earth can we be expected to honor the commitments we make to others?
There is no backdoor to a self-made promise. There is no contractual loophole. Either you maintain the contract, or you are in breach.
By dishonoring your own commitments, you undermine and poison whatever faith you have in your own abilities.
A strong, healthy, psychological immune system is essential for success; there’s no better way to ensure that than by making each commitment count.
What kind of person do you want to be known as: someone who has character and a stellar reputation? Or as someone who’s unreliable, untrustworthy … even a quitter?
Do you want to able to hold your head up high with dignity and self respect?
If so, adopt this philosophy:
If you make a commitment, honor it.
If you make a promise, keep it.
If you set a goal, achieve it.
Commitment is an act of pledging or engaging oneself to do or to perform.
Once there is an authentic obligation—rather than just a passing interest—you will find a way to make great things happen.
To translate your promises into action, and to experience the power of commitment, consider these questions:
* Are you interested in getting in shape or passionately committed?
* Are you interested in simplifying your life or passionately committed?
* Are you interested in spending more time with your kids or passionately committed?
* Are you interested in writing a book or passionately committed?
* Are you interested in spiritual growth or passionately committed?
* Are you interested in improving your marriage or passionately committed?
* Are you interested in paying off your debts or passionately committed?
* Are you interested in starting your own business or passionately committed?
Fantastic things can be accomplished once you move beyond merely being interested to a state of passionate commitment.
Until you’ve committed to them, goals are irrelevant, dreams are useless, and hopes are no more than a pipe dream.
Commitment inspires you to perform to the best of your abilities.
It protects and strengthens your credibility and reputation with yourself and others. It provides you with passionate energy and unstoppable momentum, and fills you with a sense of pride that’s priceless.
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