Motivation vs Commitment
Post by Pamela Hernandez
I once had someone in a corporate training class share something very important with me. She said to a class of new managers (of which I was one), “Look down your shirt. Do you see a giant S on your chest? Then no, you are not Super Man.” Or in my case Super Woman.
image by Яick HarrisMany days I do feel like Super Woman with boundless energy, ready to take on anything. Other days I have to remind myself I am not. Those are the days when my motivation wanes.
Yet on those days I still do the workout that I have already planned for myself. I still make myself get out of bed while my husband is still asleep and, sometimes, when it is still dark outside to keep that appointment with myself and the gym. On those days I am far from motivated, but I am still committed.
I was reading a magazine article a few weeks back that reminded me of that difference. I know lots of people that are motivated. They want to learn more about exercise and health. They ask me questions, seek out information in books and sometimes even become my clients. They have a desire to do more, to make changes.
Motivated, however, does not mean committed. Many of the people who ask questions and seek my advice choose not to follow it. They have a desire to make a change yet they are not committed to making it happen. Motivation is good; you need motivation to get started. Commitment however is what you need to keep going when motivation fails.
Commitment means doing those things you may not want to do but you know will yield the results you want it in the end. Commitment means making a plan and sticking to it, not brushing it off the first time something unexpected comes up or you feel tired. Commitment means it’s no longer a “nice to have” but a necessity of life.
Your homework assignment today is to ask yourself are just motivated or are you committed?
Posted on July 26th, 2010
Help Others by Sharing This Post
-
Maggie
Follow Us
