Make a commitment to yourself

Are you ready to make a commitment to yourself?

We make commitments everyday. We promise our teachers and parents we’re going to do our homework. We agree to help with the football team’s fundraiser. We make Friday-night plans with our friends. Now there are others who expect you to come through. They’re all commitments—to someone else.

Sometimes it seems easier to keep our commitments to others. It’s probably because we don’t want to let them down or have them think poorly of us. If we didn’t come through, we’d probably feel a bit guilty, too.

What about making commitments to yourself? What goals are you going to commit to?

Making a commitment to achieve a goal, big or small, is the same as making a commitment to someone else. It’s an agreement you make with yourself. But now, there’s no one to disappoint but yourself.

Keep your commitments – to others and yourself

When I was in college, it seemed like I had more challenges than most. I faced academic challenges because of my dyslexia and often felt like an underdog. I experienced a lot of personal tragedies, too. While in college nine people who I really cared about died. I lost three people my freshman year, three my sophomore year, and three my junior year.

My grandpa was among those who died my freshman year. He was diagnosed with cancer and only had a few months to live. One day he accidently fell, hit his head, and was hospitalized. He was so excited to see me when I visited. He was proud of his “grandchild who was going to graduate from college.” He always said he was going to see me graduate from college, even though, at the time, my grades weren’t that great. He believed in me.

Before I left, I told him I would see him the next day.

The next day I decided to go out with my friends instead of visiting. He passed away that day. I made a commitment to him and let him down.

There was nothing I could do to turn back time, but I could re-dedicate myself to achieving my goal, the goal my grandpa so proudly supported: graduate from college—no matter what. My grandpa believed I could. Now I was even more determined.

I could have easily thrown in the towel, which I considered often. It would have been easy. But, I didn’t. Rather than letting it all get the best of me, I decided to be even more committed to achieving my goals. I realized life really was short. I wasn’t about to waste it.

To what are you going to commit yourself?

Staying committed to achieving your goals, especially in the face of adversity, can be difficult. It’s sometimes easier to just let ourselves down. There’s a sense of obligation when we make a commitment to someone else. We should have that same sense of obligation to ourselves.

Making a commitment to achieving a goal may mean giving up something else. Maybe you don’t go out with your friends as often or spend as much time with your family as you’d like. Or you don’t join all the clubs you’re interested in, or play on a sports team. That’s just the way it is.

No excuses. Excuses are giving up before you even begin. Keep your goals in sight and commit to them—and to yourself—no matter what.

What are you committed to?

My Commitment to Myself

Put your goals on paper. Here’s an example. It’s up to you to commit to it!

Today, [DATE], I am making a commitment to myself to [GOAL]. I will stay focused and everyday I will do something, big or small, to help me achieve my goal. I will continue even when it seems like it won’t happen or others say I can’t. I will not give up.

My goal is to [GOAL] and I am committed to achieving it!