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This year rather than make resolutions, which I rarely keep, I’m going to set priorities and make a commitment to doing them. This sounds fairly simple on the surface, but I should explain my current logic with regard to priorities. I know this is backwards, but I tend to set a priority and then work really hard to get everything else done so that I can clear my plate (or desk) in order to fully concentrate on my priority. I’m fairly sure you can figure out how that is working for me – I spend a lot of time trying to clear my plate (or desk) and rarely get to my priorities. Then I think if only I had more time I could get to my priorities. Interesting logic!
So why, you may ask, am I setting priorities, which I rarely get to, rather than resolutions, which I rarely keep? Doesn’t seem like much of an improvement does it? But this year I am adding commitment into the mix.
I read a quote from the Dalai Lama recently, “So, unless you make specific time for something that you feel committed to, you will always have other obligations.” There will always be lots of things I need to do to but my priorities will come first. I know, I know, that’s why they’re called priorities but I think I have already covered my flawed logic in this regard – clear plate then get to priorities.
I don’t have much of this new plan under my belt yet, I only started today, so I can’t tell you how it’s working for me yet. However, this morning I read that Dr. Oz takes time to meditate every day despite his busy schedule. What a coincidence, “meditate” is number two on my list of priorities, right after walking every day (which I am pretty good at because it is my husband’s priority too and we walk together). So how does Dr. Oz, who is much busier than I am, manage to meditate every day and I don’t? Answer – he has committed to doing it. I have committed to doing everything else and if there is time left over, and I can stay awake for 20 minutes, then I’ll meditate.
The difference is committment. So now I have committed to meditating every day – I have decided to meditate every day. It’s not just something that would be nice if it happened. I have committed to it. Years ago I committed to being a vegetarian. It is part of my life and no matter how tempting some non-vegetarian foods may be (I’m thinking a Big Mac), it’s not optional for me. I made a commitment because I wanted to. I know I can do this, I’ve done it since 1979 with being a vegetarian. Commitment is the key.
Oprah said in her magazine many years ago, “Nothing happens until you decide.” She also quoted mountaineer W.H. Murray who said, “Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.”
So this year, I am going to pick a couple of priorities and decide to do them, no hesitancy – I will commit to them. Not too many, nothing overwhelming, but a couple of priorities that will improve my life. What are you going to commit to in 2013? Don’t forget, “Nothing happens until you decide.”
Wishing you all the best in 2013.
Insight - Clarity - Growth 
Very Good Lisa, thanks for writing this. Here is how commitment made one of my dreams come true. Last year I made a committment to provide content for a series of marketing apps. It began in February and through committment and focus, it took me nearly a year to get the content done. Then I decided to commit to put together a website where I could sell my workshops on line, that started in August, after a major surgery kept me housebound, until Christmas when I finally finished. It was extremely hard to keep focused and committed to my goal, but I’m proud to say 2012 was the first time I was successful and I beleive that was because I was committed. You can find all my marketing workshops which are designed for start-up business at http://www.marketingtraining4business.com. It was a lot of work and a huge commitment but I feel funominal now that it is done and I can sit back and see where my commitment has taken me. I can now see the fruits of my labour, it is quite fulfilling. I now know that committment is the key. Hope this inspires others to make a commitment and do it.