Commitment

How I Switched From Slacker to Success

My powerful journey of commitment

I’ll let you in on a secret.

I have never been any good at commitment.

I’m not talking about commitment to a partner, or family responsibilities. Or, turning up to meet friends at the agreed upon time.

I’m not even talking about being committed to my employer in my 9–5 existence.

This is a story about deep and honest commitment to self.

It’s super easy to talk yourself into, and out of, just about anything. It’s a lot harder to commit to positive change.

You know how it goes — something seems difficult so you find a reason not to do it. The same with anything that pushes you outside your comfort zone.

It takes sheer will to choose doing something over doing nothing. I can see you nodding in agreement.

Committing to yourself is powerful

My lackadaisical attitude has always held me back.

Often my intention is great.

But my brain can talk me out of taking action at the blink of an eye. One day I realised that neither circumstances, nor other people, were holding me back from success.

It was all self-imposed.

“The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment” ~ Tony Robbins

Is it possible to have the personal and business success you dream about? Of course it is. But you need to take steps to make it happen. Yes, not only take steps. But keep on climbing.

Imagine a mountain, and you can never actually reach the peak, but you’re going to keep climbing regardless. That’s the path I’m on now, and I invite you join me.

Warning: I’m only human though.

I still have days were it all feels like too much hard work. But god darn it, I’m 58. If I don’t pull my finger out now, the chance of never achieving the success I desire is frighteningly real.

From a spiritual perspective, this is a battle between your truth and your ego. Ego often wins, simply because it is so loud, proud and powerful.

If you sense you are resisting commitment to your journey, then you can be sure it’s because you are letting ego win the inner dialogue.

How do you dispel ego?

Well, it’s not easy.

But it is a fantastic first lesson in self-commitment.

Stop listening to ego and start trusting in the truth. Whether you name this God, Spirit, or Self, begin surrendering yourself to this knowing and guidance.

Be still and listen.

The words you hear emerging, long muffled behind ego’s dominance, are words of love. They will always have your best interests at heart.

Making changes

I've been on and off the writing train for years.

Back in December the discomfort of 9–5 finally because so unbearable that I got serious about writing. I made the commitment to myself.

I want to be a successful writer.

I want to practice writing every day.

I want to share what I write with others.

I still have days where ego’s loud voice suggests staying in bed, going out with friends, or watching Netflix and relaxing is what I really should be doing. But I don’t pay ego much attention these days.

It’s dangerous to linger in ego’s presence for even a moment too long. You’ll be quickly sucked back down into complacency, comfort and non-action.

It really helps to keep your plan for success firmly in sight at all times. Be this in your mind’s eye, or a physical document. Whatever works for you to help you stay strong in your commitment.

Trust me, it becomes easier with each week.

Commitment is a mental agreement

Step one is really about accepting the decisions you’ve made so far.

You can’t go back in time to change anything. The best you can do is forgive yourself, and make an agreement to commit to moving forward.

Know that you are worth the effort of reaching your desired success. You deserve nothing less.

Step two is to start small, especially if you struggle with commitment.

A great place to begin is to commit to 10 minutes of mindfulness meditation, or mindful breathing, followed by 10 minutes of journaling. Commit to this every single day, until this becomes part of you.

Do it on the days you don’t want to.

Do it no matter what.

This is how you begin to retrain your brain and rewrite who you are: Someone who is successful and self-committed.

Eventually, your new habits for success will override your desire to slack off. Even ego’s compelling arguments against you striving for success begin to fade into the background.

I have a favourite saying: “If nothing changes, nothing changes.”

The question that only you can answer is how much do you want something to change?

If you want it, commit to it.

Silva x

P.S. Is your creativity dying a slow death? Read this helpful article:

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Silva Mirovics is a Melbourne-based writer, gerontologist, yogi, vegan, and owner of Words by Silva. She has a Degree in Health Science, and a Research Masters in Gerontology.