Over the course of my career, I realized the importance of being committed versus being interested.
Being committed versus being interested begins with being honest with yourself.
The key characteristic that I write and speak about a lot is authenticity. It’s no secret that the book that goes with me everywhere in my backpack is Legacy by James Kerr. In that book, Kerr defines authenticity a honesty plus integrity.
Being honest to yourself is a powerful starting point to help move from where you are to where you want to go. To be honest with yourself you need to develop the ability to consistently ask yourself the tough questions. Some questions prove more powerful than others over time and the one that was asked to me years ago, one which I ask all my clients at some point is this:
Are you committed or are you just interested?
“There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.” – Ken Blanchard
Being interested is a great thing when you are learning, but it does not get the job done. When you want to achieve significant changes, raise the trajectory of your career path, realize your potential, and to be the leader you not only desire to be but are capable of being, then interested isn’t enough.
Take a step back to look at what you may be struggling with or a project you are on the fence about starting. Ask yourself:
- Are you committed or are you interested?
- Are you committed to becoming a better communicator by listening to understand or are you just curious as to how that works?
- Are you committed to having a morning routine to establish a positive habit of consistency in your life or does that sound like something you could be interested in?
High-level work needs more than “interested”
Let me put on my entrepreneurial hat for a second and speak from experience: Being an entrepreneur is awesome, but being a highly successful entrepreneur who can build a sustainable business model is a bitch.
Interested is not going to get it done when you’re performing at a high level. Not even close.
High-level work requires commitment (Especially when no one is watching)
I have come to believe that commitment means doing things that are uncomfortable and doing them when no one is watching. Commitment means that you know and embrace your purpose, are all-In, whole-heartedly dedicated, resolved, faithful, committed and enthusiastic. The athletes that are truly successful are the ones that put in the work when they are alone in the gym, the weight room, on the track, etc.
When you dial into your purpose and are emotionally attached to the outcome, you are committed. Hey, it is not all unicorns and rainbows, it is a grind and you must be very intentional about raising your level of grit.
Committed individuals are authentic in demonstrating these characteristics
Integrity gets things done. It is when you do what you say your going to do, how you said you were going to do it and when you said it would be done…..consistently!
Committed people are:
- All-In– They find a way even when there doesn’t seem to be one.
- Resourceful– They do the best they can with what the resources they have available.
- Aligned– Their thoughts, words, and actions are aligned with their values and goals.
- Decisive– They have the ability to address obstacles and adversity quickly and move toward a solution.
- Full of positive energy– They make the decision every day to have a positive attitude and focus on those things that will create the right emotions which drive the behavior responsible for success.
- Comfortable with being uncomfortable– They understand that it is at the edge of your ability, both physically and emotionally, where you are going to find greatness.
- Mentally strong– they refuse to let any adversity or excuse be larger than their commitment.
Questions to Ask Yourself to Improve Your Level of Commitment
- What areas of your career and personal world need a greater commitment?
- Are you committed to being a great teammate or are you waiting for others to commit to your agenda?
- What will determine your level of “interest” versus “commitment” moving forward?
Only you can answer the question if you are truly committed to greatness by being honest with yourself. Questions like the ones above deserve your time, effort, and attention. When will you decide to commit?
If you’d like to learn more about the process of dialing into your purpose, goals, and process then subscribe below.
