I recently started thinking about why it is that sometimes I make a commitment; like losing weight, doing exercises, making more prospecting calls, etc. and follow through with consistency and passion…while other times, I make the same commitments with just as much, if not more, enthusiasm, and the motivation and action disappear within weeks. Have you had the same question?
I started studying my wins; the times I’ve followed through, and I think I’m on to something. So, what I’m going to share with you, if you use it, has the ability to give you access to the magic of consistency.
First of all, you need to ask yourself what prompted the commitment or resolution. Was it fear, desperation, or a particular mood? Sometimes we get pumped up by a book or seminar, and we think we can ride that wave of enthusiasm all the way to our final goal. It never works that way. You can’t make a commitment based on a mood, because when the mood changes, the momentum dissolves.
So, before committing to a given change, it’s important to ask yourself these five questions. These same questions will come in handy when you’re starting to waver and need a reminder to keep you on track.
Who am I? The answer is, “I am my WORD.” You are not your mood, your emotion, your thoughts, your ideas, or the voice in your head that’s expert in talking you out of whatever pushes you against your comfort zone. You are your WORD. You live and die, sink or swim, fail or succeed, based on the power of your word. It’s called integrity. You need to do what you say and say what you do, regardless of thoughts and emotions to the contrary. The benefit? Higher self esteem, greater trust, and the ability to manifest what you want. So, empower yourself by asking, “Who am I?” and answering, “I am my WORD.”
Sometimes I hear people say, “I’m very trustworthy when it comes to my commitments to others, but when it comes to myself, I drop the ball all the time!” Here’s a simple solution. Whenever you make a commitment to yourself, ANNOUNCE IT! Let others know what you’ve committed to. Then, if you fail to live up to your word, it’s like you’ve let them down too. Many of my students say this is the thing that’s kept them on track. So, announce your intentions and get others enrolled in your success!
What am I doing? This is the second important question, and the answer is , “I’m fulfilling my destiny.” When you’re making calls, changing your diet, putting aside the cigarettes, or exercising, it’s easy to lose site of what you’re doing. Whenever that question comes up, tell yourself that it’s your destiny to follow this prescribed path and to find all the unseen benefits and successes that come with a life driven by destiny!
When do I do it? You need to establish a specific time to take your new actions and stick to that timeframe. NEVER let your ego talk you out of doing it at that time. It’s a great trick of the mind to try bargaining you out of your commitments by first disrupting your schedule. So, if you’ve got calls to make, do them at the same time every day and work your schedule around them. I’ve been exercising consistently for months, and the reason I’m still doing it is that I have to do them as soon as I leave the bathroom in the morning. It’s like paying a toll. I can’t pass until I’ve paid it!
Another important WHEN to consider is “When can I expect results?” The answer is, “LATER!” We have to stop allowing ourselves to stop taking action just because we don’t yet see results. Yes, you can eat that chocolate cake instead of that salad and you won’t see any immediate difference. But that doesn’t matter, because you’re not looking for immediate results. They come LATER…as long as you stick with your commitment.
Where do I do it? The answer is, “The same place every day.” So for exercise, business activities, meditation, prayer, or whatever…pick a spot and make that the place you take action. And, keep that spot clean and well organized. Make it a place you’re happy to go; one which promotes positive action.
Why am I doing this? The answers can be many. You can explore your life’s true purpose, consider the impact you’re having on others such as your friends and family, imagine the lifestyle you’re moving towards, or you can do what I do. Whenever I ask myself why I’m doing something, I respond, “Because I said so.” This strengthens your relationship with your integrity and removes the tendancy to waver whenever you can’t conjure up an emotion based on your compelling purpose. Just do what you say you’re going to do, and you’ll be surprised by the results you achieve, the self esteem you accrue, and the impact you make on the world around you!
So, use the Who, What, When, Where, and Why formula for making and keeping your commitments, and you’ll become unstoppable!
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