The Power of Meaningful Commitments

I firmly believe that commitments are a cornerstone of accomplishments, progress, and success. Yet, when I reflect on my life, I am reminded of the various commitments I made over the years, some of which I lived up to and many of which I didn't.

What makes some commitments more meaningful than others? In this article, I will explore why making commitments is essential and how you should make commitments to propel you forward.

What are commitments?

Firstly, let's be clear... Making a commitment is not about setting goals. It is about dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly to achieving goals, regardless of the challenges and obstacles we may encounter. For this to happen, our commitments must be meaningful.

Types of Commitments

Personal Commitments: These are commitments we make to ourselves for a purely personal reason. They could revolve around family, finances, health, interests, learning, passions, etc. They help give us direction.

Professional Commitments: These are commitments we make to others professionally. They could revolve around deadlines, outcomes, projects, tasks, etc. They help set expectations and ensure alignment.

Shared Commitments: These are commitments that a group of people share. They could revolve around outcomes, projects, working together, dealing with conflict, holding one another accountable, etc. They help foster alignment, collaboration, rapport, and trust.

What goes into a commitment?

Commitments involve more than just stating an intent; they require desire, determination and discipline. Here are the key elements that typically go into a meaningful commitment:

Clarity of Purpose: What are you committing to? A clear understanding of your commitment's purpose is essential, as it will provide direction and focus for your actions and decisions.

Clarity of Impact: How will achieving this commitment impact you? A clear understanding of the impact is essential, as it will provide the motivation and discipline needed.

Clarity of Goals: What goals are you working towards? How are these goals broken down? A clear set of achievable goals is essential, as they will help to highlight your progress.

Clarity of Actions: What specific and repeatable actions will help you achieve your goals? Be clear about how the action will help you achieve your goal. Repeatable actions are significant as they help to create habits.

Clarity of Accountability: How will you monitor and track your progress and hold yourself accountable? The right processes and systems will help you stay on track and overcome challenges and obstacles.

Clarity of Flexibility: How should you respond when facing challenges and obstacles? Adjusting your actions while staying true to your overarching commitment is okay.

Celebrate Progress: How should you celebrate progress? Please don't leave it to the end. Celebrate progress regularly, as this helps to keep you motivated and disciplined.

My Commitment to Myself

Clarity of Purpose: I am overweight and not very healthy. I am committing to losing weight and getting healthy.

Clarity of Impact: Losing weight and getting healthy will allow me to live longer, enjoy life, and experience more with my family. This is something really meaningful to me.

Clarity of Goals: I am going to bring my blood pressure down and lose 25 kilograms by the end of the year. I am aiming to lose 1kg every 2 weeks.

Clarity of Actions: I am going to cut down on eating bread and rice, eat more vegetables, exercise three times a week, sleep early and practice mindfulness.

Clarity of Accountability: I will track my exercise and do a weigh in every 2 weeks. My wife and son will help to keep me accountable.

Clarity of Flexibility: I'm going to have cheat days. That's ok, as long as I don't stray too far from the path.

Celebrate Progress: I am going to treat myself to something special every 12 weeks. Probably a golf weekend or a new bike. Just don't let my wife know :-)

No one should ever feel ashamed of making a commitment, hence the reason I'm making it public.

In conclusion

Commitments propel us forward by providing direction, motivation, and accountability. The future is bright, so dream big. When meaningful commitment leads the way, possibilities are limitless.

What commitments are you making to your people? What commitments are you making to your organisation? What commitments are you making to yourself?