🧭Commitment Demystified

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Here’s where we’re headed today:

• Patrick Lencioni on commitment

• Why commitment is your choice and what the science says

• Amazing story and feat of commitment from Olympian John Akhwai

• John Maxwell and others on commitment

Patrick Lencioni on Commitment

"Commitment is a function of two things: clarity and buy-in."

- Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Why Commitment is Your Choice

What is Commitment? Commitment is the unwavering dedication to a goal, a promise, or a principle. It's the resolve to persevere through difficulties and stay focused on the path you've set for yourself. Commitment means honoring your word and seeing your obligations through to the end, no matter what.

Why Commitment Matters: Commitment matters because it is what will get you from where you are to where you want to go. It builds trust, reliability, and consistency, which are essential for personal growth and success in both personal and professional endeavors.

• Commitment builds trust

• Commitment drives consistency

• Commitment improves your resilience

• Commitment enhances your focus

• Commitment means accountability

• Commitment creates growth

In the grand narrative of life, commitment stands as a choice that sets apart the movers and shakers from the dreamers and drifters. It's not an imposition but rather a decision about ownership and willpower.

What the science says on commitment:

1. When it comes to your personal goals, when you are highly committed to your goals, you're more likely to achieve them. A study by Locke and Latham (1990) found that specific and challenging goals lead to higher performance, and your commitment to those goals enhances this effect. This study showed that your commitment significantly improves your goal attainment, and this relationship has been supported by subsequent research.

2. When it comes to changing your behavior, you need to be committed to the process because your success depends on your behavior, individual factors, and your level of commitment. For example, the American Psychological Association reports that your success rate for quitting smoking ranges from 20% to 40%, with higher success rates associated with higher levels of your commitment and support.

3. When it comes to team dynamics, your commitment to team goals and shared values is essential for team cohesion and performance. A study by Klein et al. (2009) found that your team commitment positively correlates with team performance and cooperation. Teams with high levels of your commitment tend to be more resilient and achieve better results.

When you choose commitment, it's a choice to act with unwavering determination, even in the face of adversity. Consider that commitment is your daily testament to self-improvement and resilience.

In this decision lies the power to transform the abstract into the tangible, the fanciful into the real. By making the choice to commit, you declare your intentions to the world and, most importantly, to yourself.

The Amazing Story of John Stephen Akhwari

John Stephen Akhwari, a Tanzanian long-distance runner at the 1968 Olympics said, “My country didn’t send me 5,000 miles to start the race, they sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.”

Commitment is a choice. It means to persevere forward towards your goals in the face of adversity.

The year was 1968, and the Mexico City Olympics had gripped the world's attention. In the marathon event, one athlete would go on to redefine the meaning of commitment. John Stephen Akhwari, a Tanzanian long-distance runner, found himself at the starting line, ready to represent his country in one of the most grueling races known to man.

As the race commenced, Akhwari was filled with determination and hope, spurred on by the dreams of his homeland. However, around the 19-kilometer mark, disaster struck. He stumbled and fell, his knee twisted and bleeding from the harsh impact with the unforgiving asphalt.

Most athletes would have withdrawn immediately, their dreams crushed by such an injury. He said, “I never thought of stopping.” In fact, 18 of the 75 racers did withdraw at some point during the race, but not Akhwari.

Determined to finish, he never thought of stopping, even as the pain in his injured leg intensified with each excruciating step. He was moving slower, but he didn’t stop and the Mexico City area bore witness to his extraordinary display of commitment. While the stadium lights began to dim, other runners had finished over one hour earlier and received their medals yet Akhwari was still running to finish.

Hours after the race had been decided, with a solitary torch illuminating the darkened track, John Stephen Akhwari finally made his way into the Olympic Stadium. The small crowd remaining in the stands erupted in applause and tears as they witnessed a display of human spirit and commitment that would never be forgotten. In the face of excruciating pain and near-certain defeat, John Stephen Akhwari had chosen to finish the race. When asked why he continued despite the odds, he humbly replied, "My country didn't send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race."

Takeaway 1: Commitment is a choice

It's a decision we make to stay dedicated to our goals, even when faced with adversity, and this choice can drive us towards remarkable achievements. In John Stephen Akhwari’s story, you see that he had the conscious decision to push through adversity to reach his goals. Commitment isn't always an easy path to follow. It demands dedication and hard work, often in the face of setbacks and obstacles. Commitment isn't just about reaching your destination; it's the transformative journey that molds you into a stronger, more resilient individual.

Takeaway 2: Your mind and body are capable of miraculous things when focused

When you focus your mind, it's like creating a tunnel for your vision, giving you clarity and making things simpler. Your energy goes where your attention does, allowing you to achieve your goals more effectively. It's about honing in on what matters most, streamlining your efforts, and making the journey towards success much smoother.

In the story of John Stephen Akhwari, his unwavering focus on finishing the marathon, despite the pain and challenges, showcases how concentrating on your goal can lead to remarkable achievements. His commitment and tunnel vision towards the finish line became a testament to the power of a focused mind.

John Maxwell and Others on Commitment

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