Commitment Makes Everything Easier

Last night, I was poking around, looking for something good to read, when I came across this post from Crystal Williams, keeper of the Big Bright Bulb blog.   Crystal discusses the fact that when we really, really really want something, we have a tendency to go after it with gusto.  We give it everything we’ve got, and it doesn’t even feel like work.

OK.  That last bit isn’t really true.  It still feels like work, but it’s fun at the same time.  And it doesn’t feel like that kind of work we do grudgingly or against our will (for me, that’d be be something like sorting and delivering mail), but like the kind of work we’d do even if we weren’t getting paid for it (for me, writing this blog).  It’s still work in the sense that it can be difficult and challenging and a real pain sometimes, but it’s exhilarating!

Crystal’s post got me thinking about my own successes and failures, about the things that work in my life and the things that don’t.  And what I’ve come to realize is that if I want something badly enough, if I commit to it, there’s really not much that can stop me from having/being/doing it.

I think most, if not all, of us are built the same way.  Sometimes, though, we forget we have this amazing ability.  I know I do.  Sometimes, we give up at the first sign of trouble.  We concede at the first “No!” we hear.  We accept the excuses our mind comes up with for why we quit, and we go about our day as if nothing was lost by our surrender.  But something was lost, because every time we set out to accomplish something and give up, we believe a little less in our ability to succeed the next time we try.  And that loss of belief in our ability to succeed actually diminishes our ability to succeed.

That’s not to say that failure is a bad thing; it’s not.  Failure is a great teacher.  It’s giving up before we’ve had the chance to fail that kills us, little by little.  Surrender, even if it seems to insignificant at the time, has lasting effects.  What’s the answer?  How do we keep ourselves from quitting?

Easy: only pursue projects and prospects that you believe in, that you’re committed to seeing through to completion, no matter if you win or lose.   And then pursue them with everything you’ve got! You’ll be amazed how much easier it is to accomplish something when you believe in it enough to commit to it.

I’ll never forget a scene from one of my favorite movies that really drives this point home.  The movie: First Knight.  The scene: King Arthur is facing his nemesis, Malagant.  Malagant’s forces have infiltrated Camelot and are threatening to burn it to the ground unless Arthur capitulates, kneeling in front of Malagant.

Arthur asks forgiveness from his subjects for what he’s about to do, then removes his sword, approaches Malagant with a downcast gaze, and says to his subjects, “As my last act as your king, I command you…”  He begins to kneel, then, when it seems all hope is lost, raises his sword and shouts, “To fight! Fight like you’ve never fought before! Never surrender…Never surrender!!”  As his body is riddled with crossbow bolts from Malagant’s men, his final cry is “Camelot lives!”  Arthur was committed to Camelot.

Do you have that kind of commitment?  If not, I highly recommend you find it.  When you do, you’ll be amazed how easy the rest is.