Significant Outcomes in the Face of Adversity

# Lesson Four: Make A Commitment

Posted by Dave Cooke on Mar 25, 2025 in Commitment, The Four Lessons | 0 comments

Make a Commitment:

“The depth of your success is directly related to the intensity of your commitment.”
I have always trusted and believed in my ability to accomplish just about anything when I put my mind to it. The key to that truth is the “put my mind to it.” Whenever have focused in on a goal or an objective, I usually get there. However, it seems that my ability to focus has always been inconsistently applied. Hence, so have been my successes.

Commitment is a tricky word. Making a commitment involves several behavioral shifts and realities:

1. The Words I Use: Three words that I have eliminated from my vocabulary in the past year are “try, but, can’t”. These words are indicators of a weakened commitment. For in these three words there is the willingness to attempt something (try), lack of ownership to the commitment or vision (but), and the stubborn refusal that make a change in attitudes or behaviors (can’t which is actually won’t ). A commitment doesn’t involves words, it involves a declared action to a desired outcome and is demonstrated in relenting behaviors to get there.
2. Daily Outcomes: I have realized that my successes are directly linked to the consistent application of behaviors and activities toward my goal. Every day I must do something in action toward my desired outcome. These activities need not be big outcomes; however, they are conscious actions that I engage in that I can point to as a reflection of my commitment to my mission. And, I track my progress and celebrate these accomplishments, as they are reminders of my successes and serve as inspiration on my tougher days.
3. The Result is Bigger Than Me: When I look at the inspiration of my goals, the goal itself is not the real outcome – it is what the goal enables me or others to appreciate. Simply having a goal to make money, lose weight, buy a car, etc. are not big enough in themselves. They are merely measures of the accomplishment. The real goal is found in the vision of the outcome. Losing weight means celebrating better health, a better look or more energy. More money means the ability to travel, to relax, to share the wealth, to feel less financial stress. Focusing on the vision of the outcome of the goal elicits more energy and passion around the goal. I make commitments to the vision of the outcome and not necessarily on the measureable, tangible result.

100Pedals has taught me that the success of my commitments is driven by a consistently applied focus to the desired outcome. The more intense my focus, the more likely I am to achieve my desired reality. When I lose focus, lose intensity, or simply don’t give the effort, I am not committed enough to the goal. That is why I honor my commitments with a daily celebration of my accomplishments toward my goal. When I move forward toward my goal every single day I am living my commitment and I am getting closer to my goal.

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