~ Stephen Gregg, Chairman and CEO of Ethix Corp
"He who has done his best for his own time has lived for all times."
~ Johann von Schiller, Playwright
To the boxer, it's getting off the mat one time more than you've
been knocked down.
To the marathoner, it's running another ten miles when your
strength is gone.
To the missionary, it's saying good-bye to your own comfort
to make life better for others.
To the leader, it's all that and more because everyone you lead
is depending on you.
Some people want everything to be perfect before they're willing to commit themselves to anything. But commitment always precedes achievement. I am told that in the Kentucky Derby, the winning horse effectively runs out of oxygen after the first half mile, and he goes the rest of the way on heart. That's why all great athletes recognize its importance. NBA legend Michael Jordan explains that "heart is what separates the good from the great." If you want to make a difference in other people's lives as a leader, look into your heart to see if you're really committed.
2. Commitment Is Tested by Action
It's one thing to talk about commitment. It's another to do something about it. The only real measure of commitment is action. Arthur Gordon acknowledged, "Nothing is easier than saying words. Nothing is harder than living them day after day."
Someone told me about a newly elected judge who had won office in a special county election. During his acceptance speech, he said, "I wish to thank the 424 people who promised to vote for me. I wish to thank the 316 people who said that they did vote for me. I wish to thank the 47 people who came out last Thursday to vote, and I wish to thank the 26 folks who actually did vote for me." How are you doing when it comes to following through on your commitments?
3. Commitment Opens the Door to Achievement
As a leader, you will face plenty of obstacles and opposition--if you don't already. And there will be times when commitment is the only thing that carries you forward. David McNally commented, "Commitment is the enemy of resistance, for it is the serious promise to press on, to get up, no matter how many times you are knocked down." If you want to get anywhere worthwhile, you must be committed.
Cop-outs. People who have no goals and do not commit.
Hold-outs. People who don't know if they can reach their goals,
so they're afraid to commit.
Drop-outs. People who start toward a goal but quit when the going gets tough.
All-outs. People who set goals, commit to them, and pay the price to reach them.
What kind of person are you?