LESSON
If You’re Not 100% Committed, Stop Wasting Your Time
And the time of others.
“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” — Vince Lombardi
Back in time, If I would have known the importance of being committed to assignments. I wouldn’t have wasted so much time.
I wonder why I never finished projects when I started with enthusiasm and energy. And when some obstacle pooped up, I just said: It’s too hard. This is not what I was expecting.
It took me time to understand that Willpower doesn’t work. The only way that it can work is — if you are 100% committed. There is no other way. You have to make sure you will finish, no matter what. If you are not, then the chances are that you quit with the first problem that arose.
So what can you do about it? I quilted a ton of projects that I started excited about, but I wasn’t committed to it. As Neil Straus states:
“Motivation is what gets you started. Commitment is what keeps you going.”
I let my emotions guide me without thinking about how it would cost starting a particular task. So I wasn’t considering if I really like it or not. These are the only things I was focused on:
- If the task will bring money.
- If the task will be easy.
- If this is not going to take a long time to be done.
- It is not that hard to make me think too much.
- If I can work only a few hours per day.
Now I realize how naive I was with that mindset. If you want to take seriously doing something, you have to committed to it.
If you don’t like the work you are starting, even if you know it is a good chance to make good money, Don't waste your time; you will not last. That’s why I quit projects several times.
Let’s break this down.
Be aware if is aligned with your goals
“There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” — Art Turock
This a must before deciding to start a new project. When you are aware of what you really want from it. Before even to think you will make money or not. You can start asking this question:
- Is this project will make reaching my goals faster?
- Are those tasks are aligned with my values, Will I feel bad by saying yes later on?
You can picture yourself in 2 years the future and ask.
Did you feel bad about that decision you take 2 years ago?
Believe it or not, those easy questions will help you to decide if that project is right for you or not. Hence, the tendency to quit is less.
When I started to study a career, I passed through this; my mother spent a lot of money on me. We are seven brothers, and we have never been a wealthy family. She had to work hard to educate us. I was taking studies to do something without thinking if I will finish it.
I wasted a ton of time making the wrong decisions in life. I have nothing to be proud of it, but I have to recognize that I learned and a lot. Now I have two daughters who I can teach from the mistakes I made.
To be aware of all the decisions you will make in life have to be made according to your values. There is no regret in that way.
Make sure that is something you enjoy
“Without involvement, there is no commitment. Mark it down, asterisk it, circle it, underline it.” — Stephen Covey
The idea of making money doing something that I love wasn’t in my mind. But I was wrong. There are forms to make it.
But first, you have to know what do you like. You have to be creative and play around. You can start with this:
- Be opened mind to try different things.
- Meet a new friend and listen more.
- Be aware that passion is a result of things you try before. You will not find passion in the first thing you try.
When you start something, it is massively important to know if it is something you like and are ready to overcome all the obstacles that come with it.
The gurus’ fairytale saying you will make money easy and fast doesn’t exist—it just a big liar to take money from your pocket.
If you are ready to start a project, and you know it is according to your values. It is a good sign to start.
All the projects that I quit were from ideas that I wouldn’t say I liked it. Now I am aware of it; it is clear to me. As a writer now and being realistic that I am far from being a prolific writer. I am ready to expose myself to improve.
It is the only way to get better to practice more and be open to criticism. And that’s ok. I knew, and I was ready for it because my wish to be a better writer is bigger than all the stuff, exposure, or criticism from everyone.
Just a simple reason. I am committed to it and ready to pay the price to be a prolific one.
Conclusion
If you really aren’t committed to something, don’t hesitate, just avoid it. It doesn’t work give your 50 or 98 percent. There is a percentage that will make you douth. Be realistic with it.
Why don’t you make things simple? — 100% committed will work for you always. You don’t have a choice to decide only act.
Remember that unless a commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes. Only dreams without goals and plans.
If you want more stories like this or different topics, let me know here!
Godofredo Rojas is a writer, chef, and constant learner from Peru. He studied in Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Peru. He moved to New York in March 2011. You can find him on Facebook and Twitter.
