One of life’s most important and urgent questions is…

What are you committed to?

Answers to this question have changed the course of history.

From 1956 to 2010 (54 years), Jerry Lewis’s answer was to help find a cure for neuromuscular disease.

His relentless determination and commitment to raise billions of dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has profoundly affected the lives of millions of families.

The philosophy behind Lewis’ decades of devotion and commitment to MDA is summed up in a motto he often quoted…

“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Harriet Tubman’s answer is legendary.

Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and committed her existence to helping others to include family and friends to gain their freedom.

Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and committed her existence to helping others to include family and friends to gain their freedom.

Known as the “Moses of her people,” she used the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad and served as “Conductor”.

At great personal expense, Tubman was steadfast in her commitment to freeing people from slavery. She was never caught and never lost a “passenger.”

2.4 million babies’ lives have been saved due to the lifelong commitment of James Harrison, an Australian known as the “Man With the Golden Arm”.

Harrison’s blood has unique, disease-fighting antibodies that have been used to develop an injection called Anti-D, which helps fight against rhesus disease.

Every week for 60 years — for a total of 1173 blood donations, he has donated blood and for that Harrison is considered a national hero in Australia.

These stories shine a bright light on some extraordinary people and illuminate the importance and urgency of sustained commitment.

COMMITMENT ISSUES

What’s the main difference between a pro and an amateur…between a person who actually gets things done and someone who barely moves the needle?
And the answer is: Commitment.

In my book…there is but one acceptable degree of commitment — TOTAL.

If you think about it for just a moment, you’ll come to understand that commitments present themselves in delineations of black and white…

You either honor your commitments, or you don’t.

Success, no matter how you define it…is the result of making and keeping commitments to yourself and others…

While all failed or unfinished goals, projects and relationships are the direct result of broken commitments.

It’s that simple and that profound…and it explains why, what you are committed to is one of life’s most important and urgent questions.

THE HIGH COSTS OF BROKEN COMMITMENTS

A commitment made, must become a commitment honored as each one counts in more ways than you can possibly imagine.

Your ability to honor your commitments directly impacts your credibility, reputation, trustworthiness, earning ability, and overall peace of mind.

Every day, you make promises and commitments to customers, family members and associates.

Some are explicit while others are implied, however each one ultimately results in success or failure.

Nothing builds confidence and loyalty more reliably than a history of well-kept promises.

By the same token, nothing will undermine your reputation faster than a string of broken commitments.

If you look at successful people in any field, you’ll find that they’re not necessarily the brightest, best looking, fastest or the strongest of the bunch.

But, what you will find is that they are the ones with the greatest depth of commitment.

Successful people understand that all great accomplishments are preceded by great commitment.

How great is the power of your commitment?

A man or woman, without their word, is fundamentally worthless.

It’s like having a stain on your reputation that no amount of bleach could ever remove.

If your word is not supported by action, if you take a cavalier attitude towards your obligations, the party’s over.

You may as well stick a fork in your reputation because no one will be interested in working with much less being associated with you.

STRENGTHEN YOUR COMMITMENT MUSCLE

Your word is a form of capital. It’s money in the bank for someone who is counting on it.

That being said, you should only invest your capital where and when it counts most or it will lose its value.

And because your word is like currency, you must give it only when the occasion is important enough to call for it.

The person you are promising something to must be able to recognize that your commitment or promise has real value and that it’s not counterfeit.

You certainly don’t give money out to every Tom, Dick and Harry and you should treat your word with the same level of respect.

Remember, what you don’t protect, you don’t get to keep, and your reputation is a terrible thing to waste.

When you habitually dishonor your commitments, when you lie to yourself, how on earth are you going to find the strength and character to honor the commitments you make to others?

There is no backdoor to a self-made promise. There is no contractual loophole. Either you maintain the contract or you are in breach.

That’s why I said earlier that there is but one acceptable degree of commitment — TOTAL.

Your lifelong challenge is to adopt the following philosophy which will ensure that your commitments are always honored.

Commitment counts. Mark it down, asterisk it, circle it, underline it and by all means enforce it!

Gary Ryan Blair is creator of the 100 Day Challenge…a radical approach to goal achievement that shows you how to 10X your goals by applying the strategies of growth hacking.

Join an enthusiastic community of 600,000+ aspiring people and get the training, support and accountability you need to turn your big goals and crazy dreams into breakthrough success.