Last Updated on 2014-11-17 by Kassandra
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Commitment.
Mirriam Webster defines commitment as “a promise to do or give something”.
But it’s not just a promise. When you make a COMMITMENT to do something, you make the decision to do what you say you’re going to do, regardless of how you feel later.
Decision — from the Latin word dēcīsiō, literally: a cutting off.
When you make a commitment to someone or something, you are making the decision — the conscious choice to act upon something and cut away everything else.
When you make a commitment / decision to be somewhere, to meet someone, to have that business meeting, to put away laundry, to get in shape, to invest in yourself & work on personal development, to start that new business … you have cut yourself off from anything else that would deter you from that.
If you do not follow through with your commitment, then you may be seen as lacking integrity. Perhaps someone who cannot be trusted to keep their word. You run the risk of people being taught not to trust you.
Yes, things happen. And sometimes they can’t be avoided. [In which case it’s courtesy to call that person immediately so they can make other plans, if your commitment is to someone else.] But if you make the commitment for anything and then don’t follow up with it because you’re tired, you forgot, or whatever lame excuse you come up with to avoid it? Then the thing or person you made the commitment to wasn’t important enough to you to ensure it happened.
So the next time you make plans with someone, the next time you begin to think about starting a business, or the next time you make a commitment to yourself, take a step back and think about this:
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If I decide to do this, will I actually do it?
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Do I have time to make this commitment?
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If I don’t have the time right now, is it important enough to me to MAKE time?
Be honest with yourself AND the person you are about to make a commitment to (even if it’s just hanging out). It’s ok to say no. It’s better to say “no” or “not right now” than to say “YES” and then not follow through.
So make the decision today that when you commit to doing something, that NO MATTER WHAT you’ll do it or you won’t commit to it.
~ To Your Success ~
Kassandra
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