Celebrating over lunch today with a friend of ours, we were pondering the idea of courage and commitment. ‘True commitment’, Martin said, ‘requires enormous courage, because when the s…t hits the fan, it is only that which carries you through’.
He’s right, and that’s why New Year’s Resolutions are traditionally a waste of time, because of the lack of commitment. Even setting goals is a waste of time unless they are committed to. I’m pretty good at committing to things once I have clearly chosen what it is; I know that difficult times will arise, and I also know that the very clear vision I create is the one thing that will take me through those times.
Courage, which is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to continue despite feeling afraid, is a quality that you access as a result of the commitment. It’s not something you either have, or haven’t got — it’s something everyone has access to, should you choose to embrace it. And it comes of it’s own accord if you make a commitment and stick to it.
Of course, it’s a lot easier not to make a commitment, because then you don’t have to face the obstacles that arise as a result of stepping up to your bigger vision. But then, you’re not consciously creating the next steps of your business either, are you?
So the question then arises ‘to what do I want to truly commit this year?’ And if you’re honouring yourself and your business, you’ll take your time to answer that, because if you really are going to commit to it, then you need to be quite clear about it, so that when the tough times happen, your courage will come to the fore and assist you in sailing the unknown waters successfully towards what you have said you will create.
I have used the principles I write about here in RichThinkers to bring about all kinds of things in my life, including running a successful counselling practice and health clinic business. Coming from a place of inspiration has enabled me to bring meaning and magic into all that I do, and my background in psychotherapy and counselling, combined with practical business skills, means I am uniquely positioned to help you in both the inner and the outer levels of success. (
One Comment
Well said, Jane!
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Often, when trouble comes up, we decide to go back to our comfy sofa and switch the telly on… (that’s why I have no telly – less temptation
I say to people: “Don’t commit to sailing a course unless you are prepared to also go through some bad weather with it!” I often see people make ‘soft commitments’ where they turn back at the sight of the first rain cloud and go back to the sofa – and they end up where they were before and they do not grow. (That is where your work comes in Jane, no? To help people find out what their values are and what they are prepared to really dedicate their life to – come rain or sunshine.)
Courage is not recklessness. Courage stands between ‘cowardly’ and ‘reckless’.
One knows the risks and dangers involved and progresses with the wisdom, that by confronting the challenge one has the opportunity to make a difference for the better. One also is aware about the consequences of the lost opportunity if one does not proceed.
Courage draws on the inner ‘I’. Courage does not just happen, it is a motivated inner effort…
Merry Christmas xx