Interested or Committed?

One of the books I have profiled in my blog reading list is Jack Canfield’s Success Principles, which is a book of lots of principles that are great for your professional and personal life. One principle that I have been talking about a lot with my peers and clients is "Are you interested or committed?"

Sometimes, I say I’m committed, like when I tell myself as I’m packing my bag to go to the gym and get in 30 minutes of cardio. When the day goes by and I did not go to the gym and get in 30 minutes of anything, I’m obviously not committed, I’m just INTERESTED in getting in some cardio.

When you think about the two words and how frequently we all say we are committed to something, but then it doesn’t happen, we’re really not committed. I see this often with regard to a marketing plan or a budget. Many times the inspiration is there (typically around the beginning of a new year) to ‘really’ do a plan and budget and stick with it. "We’re committed, Raquel," yeah, right, sure you are. It’s not even the end of January before something is blown out of the water (um, I’m not talking about any specific client… so don’t start panicking, Mr. TWJ).

One of my favorites, and I have been trying to really watch this, is when people say they just didn’t have the time, or they will try to make the event. What does that mean? How do you try to attend an event? You either don’t go or you show up. It’s that simple. I have been trying to catch myself if I begin saying "I haven’t had the time" because I now know I didn’t make the time. I just didn’t put it on the ‘important to do this thing’ radar.

So next time you find yourself venturing in to something, be it old or new, ask yourself "Am I interested in doing this or am I committed to doing this," and then think about what each word means for you for that specific task. If you’re committed to it – MAKE SURE IT HAPPENS. If you’re not, don’t tell yourself you are. You don’t need that disappointment.

Here are a couple good quotes on this topic:

Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal–a commitment to excellence–that will enable you to attain the success you seek.–Mario Andretti

Make small commitments and keep them. Be a light, not a judge. Be a model, not a critic. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.–Stephen R. Covey