Let’s start with the basics: commitment according to the Merriam-Webster is “an agreement or pledge to do something in the future”.
Making such a promise requires that we’ve made a choice, that we’ve accepted whatever this promise entails. That often is harder than we imagine, it’s more than saying yes to someone or something. It’s being aware of what this promise means and be prepared to fulfill it.
It doesn’t mean that you can’t change a commitment once you’ve realized that the initial assessment didn’t provide you with enough information. That’s not the point. It’s always possible to make new decisions.
Commitment is part of the way we build trust. By following through on the commitment we’ve made, we earn the respect of others.
Not only, actually commitment is also there to help us keep respect for ourselves.
It’s as Peter Drucker says:
Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.
Commitment is our way to level up. To make things happen. If we don’t commit, our hopes may disappear without further action, leaving us frustrated.
It’s not necessarily or only about the big things, commitment can also mean to show up every day, to do our work.
Commitment doesn’t need passion or vision or mission. While all of these can be there, commitment remains a choice. A choice that doesn’t imply that we have the security of doing it right, of knowing that it is the right thing to do.
The relationship between commitment and doubt is by no means an antagonistic one. Commitment is healthiest when it is not without doubt but in spite of doubt. – Rollo May
An interesting aspect of commitment is, that once we’ve decided for it, things become easier. Knowing our doubts and having decided to go for it independently of them is liberating.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating — in work, in play, in love. – Anne Morriss
Commitment is what happens after we’ve made a choice. It’s an opportunity we have, it allows to build our work based on that commitment. Having decided for one option allows leaving other options aside.
Once we’ve settled into commitment beautiful things can happen.
The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment. – Anthony Robbins
