Commit, Dang it, Commit!

“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.” – Unknown

In times of need, I’ve been known to speak to myself. Most of the time, the words from me to me are silent, taking place only inside my head. However, I have had a few times (usually behind the wheel of a vehicle) when the words come fast, furious, and audible. Just yesterday, I was half paying attention when a car swerved over into my lane. At the last possible second, I swerved out of their way. “Would you pay attention to what you’re doing? Is that asking too much?!” came angrily out of my mouth and it wasn’t toward the reckless man in a {insert any name of any vehicle and we’ll pretend I can actually identify anything outside of a Dodge Caravan}. I pinned my own ears back because my mind was in the future… playing baseball.

I’m trying to make the playoffs after all and I’m running out of time.

I gave myself another scolding recently and it’s kind of stayed with me. I wounded my pride I suppose, but it has given me something to think about. I was in the middle of re-designing one of my websites. A particular element I was working on should have been a 10 minute (20 at the most) task. An hour later, I’d had enough. I realized that my brain (probably on the diamond again – it’s obvious that diamonds are this girl’s friend!) was wavering.

I couldn’t make up my mind about something and, literally, went back and forth about a dozen times. To make matters worse, it was a minor detail. Less than minor! Have you ever become irritated with yourself? I was so irritated with me at that moment I could have called myself a dozen names. Since I cry easily, I held back. I just went with, “Commit, dang it, commit!”

Exact words.

Being all about self improvement and self growth, I started thinking about the words COMMIT and COMMITMENT… after I committed to the design element and put it in place. I was afraid that the next outburst would upgrade from Dang it and I didn’t want to hear what it might be. My cat was in the room after all.

My situation was a very minor one. Truth be told, I’m sure I looked almost comical sitting there switching back and forth with my coding – Refresh, look, go back, Refresh, look, go back. Silly Nilly.

However, commitment is serious business and a lack of it can lead to just about every conceivable ill.

• Divorce rates are sky high because people seem incapable to committing to a relationship.  The words “For better or worse” seem as disposable as paper towels.
• Obesity (adults and children) has become a grave concern in our country.  People begin diets or exercise routines but don’t follow through.  They fail to commit.
• Individuals go into business for themselves with high hopes and beautiful dreams but when the going gets tough, they cave in.  They realize that commitment isn’t always easy. It never claimed to be.
• People drop out of college, and often even high school, because they refuse to commit to their studies.
• Health problems escalate because individuals won’t commit to a healthy lifestyle and diet.

Commitment may take you out of your comfort zone, but isn’t that where growth and change happen?  We don’t become all that we can become by remaining all that we are.

I see a lack of commitment in the areas of mental fitness and brain health as well.  Someone will read an article about the importance of staying mentally active.  The light bulb will come on for them and they’ll vow to read more educational books, do more crossword puzzles, and get more activity.  And God love them, they’ll do so, too!

For about a week.

Those of us who write a lot of self help articles and/or are obsessed with inspirational quotes will throw around a lot of great, juicy buzz words.  Ability, Action, Determination, Perseverance, and Gambaru…. they’re a few of my own favorites.  Then there’s commitment.  Good old, unassuming, humble, simplistic, nuts and bolts commitment.

My husband and I were watching baseball a few nights ago (I swear we do more than just watch baseball.  Geez, we watch college basketball and football too.).  He pointed out one of our best slugger’s swing.  He hasn’t been hitting like his old self for a while and my keen-eyed hubby pointed out the young man’s “follow through.”  It was non-existent.  As soon as the ball came near him and his once mighty bat, he gritted his teeth and began his swing like a baseball beast!

Then?  Then?!

Then… nothing.  Instead of COMMITTING to the FOLLOW THROUGH, his swing more or less wimped out. Strike three and he’s out.

If there’s an area in your life where progress isn’t happening at the rate you’d like, ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I committed to making this change? (if you answer yes, tell yourself to prove it!)
• What is my follow through? Am I swinging through the ball or wimping out?
• What could I be doing differently to effect the sort of swing through to reach the fences?!

Whether it’s work-related, health-related, relationship-related, or something else, commitment may need to be your new buzz word. When you feel yourself slacking off, force yourself to refocus by saying, “Commit!” You could also write the words COMMIT TO IT! on an index card or piece of paper – put where you’ll see it throughout the day.

I’m off to my bedroom for 30 minutes of yoga with my cat. I’m committing to getting back the yoga form I had in my twenties.  Better make it 60 minutes….

The motivational print at the top of the post says, “Determination is often the first chapter in the book of excellence.”