Intention + Action = Commitment

Some of the most life shifting conversations I’ve ever had have been around a person’s relationship with commitment.  For myself, I now know that what I used to think was a commitment never really was one.  Because true commitment must be proven through action. 

Intention + Action = Commitment.

Commitment begins with an intention for something you will accomplish.  Once the intention is clear, a commitment comes alive and into the world through a declaration; commitment is real when it is spoken out loud.  Commitment is evidence of what you are or are not actually creating. Sometimes I might imagine that I’m committed to something because of my intention, and without action there is no fuel in the tank to accomplish it.  My unconscious commitment has the potential to create things I don’t want, because ACTION is such a powerful force.

As an example, I’ve always had an intention for physical fitness. If you’d asked me, I would have said physical fitness was very important to me.  And, if you had asked me what I was actually doing to create physical fitness, I would have had to admit that I was doing very little. It was an intention, without action.  And what I was really creating through action (inaction) was poor physical fitness.  Being unfit was an example of my unconscious commitment.

A true commitment alters my behavior.  It’s me, being ALL IN.  It’s me doing whatever is required until what I’m committed to is accomplished.  It’s not relevant how much time I spend, or how much effort I expend.  The result is what matters, and it’s what qualifies it as a commitment.

I get power not by creating goals for myself; rather, by carefully choosing my commitments.  It has felt heavy at times to hold something as a commitment, without truly creating committed behavior.  I feel guilt and shame, disappointment and frustration.  I can instead choose a path more resonant with success, accomplishment, and discipline. 

If you’re interested in 2012 being a year for intention + action, you might want to grab one of the remaining 3 spots in Project Liberation by going HERE!