COMMITMENT ISSUES
Have you ever had those days, where you promised someone that you'd spend time with them, but when the day arrives you're just not in the same mood, so you tell a lie in order to get out of the plans? Or what about when you told yourself you'd workout today, but you never got around to it because there were more enjoyable things to do?
My mom taught me at a young age that if I made a commitment to myself or someone else, that I needed to follow through with it—no excuses.
So let's talk about the "C" word:
COMMITMENT.
The word 'commitment' seems valueless in today’s society, and I’m not just talking about relationships. I am talking about in businesses, hobbies, our goals and who are as people.
Commitment is more than just a "C" word—it's about integrity and honesty. It's about staying aligned with our goals in order to meet our highest potential and to develop a strong work ethic and character.
Our integrity depends on our discipline. What is our moral character and what are we willing risk, lose or gain? When you lie, cheat or flake out the only person you sabotage is yourself, and the more often it happens the more your reliability decreases.
This is something we're lacking. Committing yourself to your personal life and professional life is a valuable character trait to hold—no one can take that away from you, which is why we, as society, need to learn this.
Healthy relationships and successful careers both need commitment. Holding onto our morals and staying true to our word creates a bond that shows our dedication and loyalty to ourselves, as well as our careers and relationships.
It takes a lot of time and energy to maintain your integrity, but when you follow through and actually commit, it shows that your a (wo)man of your word.
How many times have you felt like because someone lied to you, that you could lie to them, or that because someone bailed on you that it was ok to bail on them?
I've noticed more than ever that it's easy to just change the plans or quit because we've lost our motivation and dedication. We aren't held accountable for our lack of commitment because it's so rare to find a loyal person. Before we know it, we end up not taking responsibility for our actions and lose sight of our original promises, and eventually we find ourselves following the trend of flaking out or lying.
Now don't get me wrong, I know life gets in the way sometimes and there are moments when we have committed to something or someone and we are unable to follow through, but it's about recognizing that you have an option to embrace honesty and communicate your feelings or obstacles that are getting in the way of your commitment.
Having commitment creates depth within every aspect of our lives. It allows us to create an unwavering reputation of honesty and loyalty because we're known for standing by our word. Staying committed whole-heartedly will help us achieve our goals and develop strong relationships, while also becoming a reliable individual who is known for staying true to his or her word.
Think about it next time when you're "not in the mood" to follow through with your previous commitment, and I hope you decide to stay true to your original promise or that you choose to communicate with dignity and honesty.
"Commitment means staying loyal to what you said you were going to do, long after the mood you said it in has left you." -unknown
Photos by Isicle