Commitment Versus Involvement

The pursuit of success, good health and wealth are common quests. However, though many seek to increase their net worth, comparatively few ever achieve this goal. Though many long to have a fit and healthy body, few ever are willing to do what it takes to make that happen.

I have observed that in many cases the underlying issue is one of commitment. It is far easier to get involved with a diet programme for a short time to lose a few pounds than it is to commit to making long term adjustments to longstanding bad habits which act against a goal to be healthy. Equally, it is far easier to save up for a few weeks or months to acquire a new car or gadget then fall back into bad spending patterns than it is to adopt a permanent saving and investment plan to ensure that a significant reserve of finance is at hand for when the need arises.

There is a definite distinction between commitment and involvement, which is humorously illustrated in this analogy: “The difference between ‘involvement’ and ‘commitment’ is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was ‘involved’ – the pig was ‘committed.” Involvement in any goal or pursuit may yield a few good results in the short term, but great outcomes that last are only ever achieved by way of a committed contribution. Commitment makes consistency possible, and consistency makes sustainable progress a reality – irrespective of the endeavour.

COMMITMENT VERSUS INVOLVEMENT

Involvement: gives you a taster

Commitment: gives you the meal

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Involvement: can lead to frustration

Commitment: leads to realisation

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Involvement: sees the goal elude you

Commitment: sees the goal improve you

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Involvement: may give a false sense of security: “I’m doing something, so I’m on the right track”

Commitment: creates security: “I’m going to do what it takes until I succeed, because I take responsibility for my success"

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Involvement: can produce broken focus, which leads to lack of productivity

Commitment: can lead to total focus which leads to accelerated productivity

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Involvement: takes up time with little results

Commitment: takes up time with great rewards

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Involvement: leaves you open to excuses for why the goal didn’t happen

Commitment: makes no excuses and has no reason to since it produces results.

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What do you dream about? Consider the goals you have for your finances, relationships, career or health. Are you involved or committed? If you are in any doubt as to which category you fall into, check your results – what do they tell you? There is your answer.

If you find that you are involved in things that you should be committed to, resolve to make the necessary adjustments to ensure you get the results you want to see.

If you are involved in many things, you may need to first order your goals and projects in terms of their priority for you. It might be that you are spreading yourself too thinly across a number of endeavours when you should be focused on a few at a time. When you have worked out what you should be committed to, resolve to commit; you owe it to yourself to live your best life, now.