Lesson 2

The Power of Commitment

Few things in life have as much power as commitment. Commitment turns average or inactive people into what the military calls a full metal jacket (a bullet that can penetrate great obstacles). The character trait of commitment does that. It gives our dream the full metal jacket that it needs in order to punch through obstacles. In fact, I would say that commitment is the foundation for building your life. It is the bedrock of achieving your ultimate Why in life.

Let me ask you a question. Are you truly committed to achieving your dreams and goals in life? I’m sure you said “Yes.” OK, let me ask you an easier question. Have you invested in the seven highlighters that I recommended in the last lesson?

If you haven’t made the commitment to complete the exercises in Lesson One of this book, then stop right now, go back and do it. You cannot expect to achieve the maximum results of this material if you are not committed to achieving these results. In order to achieve your ultimate goals and dreams in life, you must have a starting point and take action.

I know this sounds a little harsh, but as your coach I must and will hold you accountable for your actions and your failure to take action. My ultimate goal is to assist you in achieving your Why in life. At times I am like a drill instructor whose purpose is to turn green recruits into full metal jackets. I am very serious about helping you to Find Your Why and Fly. I hope you are serious enough to “Just Do It.”

What is Commitment?

Commitment is a serious, even sacred, pledge to do or be something. It is hammer-hard determination to achieve. Like a full-metal jacket bullet, it is so focused on the goal that it blows right through the obstacles and distractions.

Commitment takes us beyond comfort zones and personal indulgences. The Oxford English Dictionary actually says that commitment is “an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.”

Think about that. Being committed to a goal means we have to give up some of our freedom. For example, if I’m committed to investing twenty percent of my income, I may have to give up the freedom to buy all the latest electronic toys. If I’m going to lose forty pounds in the next six months, I may be forced to give up my freedom to have a glass of milk and cookies before I go to bed.

Are you committed – REALLY COMMITTED – to your own success? Is that commitment strong enough to finish reading this book? Be honest. How many books have you bought and not read? How many books have you cracked open, read a few pages and then stuck on the shelf?

Now, I’m going to challenge you to read this book…every lesson, every word. Upon completion of reading each lesson of this book, write a summary of it in your learning journal. A learning journal doesn’t have to be anything fancy. A basic notebook will do. It is critically important to write down what really hits you out of each lesson. I also refer to this as brain-spilling. Regularly and frequently summarizing each lesson is the best way to get life-changing truth off the page and into your heart and mind. By reading it, writing it down and reviewing it frequently, you internalize it. You take possession of it. You take ownership of the truth that will set you free!

Remember, I said earlier that we must all read or listen to something at least seven times before we truly grasp the concepts of the material. You should also write in your journal each time you re-read it. You will see that each time you read the book, your journal will reflect different thoughts and ideas that will dramatically change your life if you commit to them. Even the seventh time!

What will Commitment Do in My Life?

I believe that commitment is the key to achieving the level of success that your Certificate of Life guarantees that you will achieve. Not only is commitment a full metal jacket, it’s also life’s cement.

Strong foundations are not made of sand. A foundation must be strong enough to hold everything stable and steady during a storm or earthquake. That’s why foundations are made of cement. Your commitment to achieve your dreams is your life’s cement.

When you have a cement commitment behind your dreams, nothing will stop you. You will stand tall through the storms of life and create a safe atmosphere for yourself and your family. When everyone else says it’s impossible and you will fail, your personal commitment provides another voice. That voice says, “You will persevere and win!”

How to Maintain Your Commitment

Over time, even cement will crack and break. Think about strolling down a sidewalk and looking down to see the weeds growing between the cracks. Your life’s foundation can also crack and allow weeds to grow. These weeds are often the naysayers and the critics that don’t believe in you or your right to achieve success.

Repairs are essential to keeping your commitment foundation strong. If you don’t create and maintain a strong cement foundation of commitment in your life, then you will allow the negative weeds to get between you and your dreams.

How do you maintain your commitment? First, you must read and re-read the right books and write in your journal every time that you read them. Books like Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich” or “The Richest Man in Babylon”, or the one you’re holding now are great assets to your success library.

Second, spend time with successful, positive, encouraging people. Some people just radiate success, confidence and commitment. Hanging out with them will help to maintain your own foundation of commitment. When you spend time with negative, doubtful, mistrusting people, you will damage your foundation.

Jim Rohn, one of my mentors, says that we should regularly ask ourselves, “Who am I with? What are they doing to me? Is that good?” I agree. You’ve got to commit to yourself that you will not hang out with and be a victim of dream stealers. No one but YOU owns the title deed to your life. Out of respect for yourself, commit to spending time with people that are victors in life. Be committed to walking in victory!

Third, forget the mistakes and negative defaults of the past. You’re free! Kick your chicken and leave the shackles of your past behind.

You must be determined to develop your commitment long term, because success is not easy. Failure is guaranteed if you are not committed to your success. Daily commitment to the achievement of your Why will push you through the trials of life. It’s like physical exercise; it must be done daily!
An essential part of maintaining your commitment is to stay away from cynics and dream stealers. Join others that have made the decision to walk in victory! Don’t let negative people determine your level of success.

If you read the right books, journal your thoughts, spend time with positive and successful people and leave your past mistakes behind, you will find that your foundation of commitment will harden just like cement and become stronger each day.

Think about it for a second. When cement is first poured, it is not hard. Sometimes people will actually write their name in it while it’s wet. Once the cement is hardened, it remains that way forever with proper maintenance. In the same way, once your commitment hardens in your mind and heart, it will remain that way. It’s up to you to keep the naysayers, your negative past and other discouraging factors from defacing your commitment before it is hardened into a strong foundation in your heart and mind.

I’m a New Yorker, but I like the song of the wide-open West, “Home on the Range.” I like it mainly because of one line, “where never is heard a discouraging word.” Think about that. Do you care enough about your own success to live in an environment that contains no discouragement? Are you so committed to your future that you will surround yourself with people, books, CDs and movies that encourage rather than discourage you?

Never forget that the power of your commitment is one of the greatest factors in your life. Your commitment to success or your commitment to your cycle of failure will determine whether or not you achieve your lifelong dream.
Let’s try to understand this. The word “power” means the authority to take control over. You need to take control and authority over your lack of commitment in the past and recommit to your achievement of your goals and dreams.

If you are a success maniac like me, then commit yourself to your own future. This type of commitment gives you both the right and the power to achieve your ultimate Why in life. Behind every Champion’s achievement of their Why is a strong and solid commitment. When you’re on track and have commitment as hard as cement, your foundation doesn’t move around. Yes, you’re hard-headed. You’re solid as a rock! You are going for it! You’re making decisions like a committed Champion!

That’s where it all starts to come together and before you know it, your life takes off like a space shuttle and people standing around suddenly jump back, look startled and say, “Whoa! What happened? What’s going on with you?” What they’re seeing is the blast-off of your success rocket, the manifestation of your commitment.

That’s why commitment is one of the most important keys to success. Remember, your commitment is the foundation, and your decisions will determine whether or not your foundation will crack in the midst of life’s storms.

Now, I want you to write out your commitment. Write down what you are committed to doing with the rest of your life and what obstacles you are committed to avoiding.
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Take a good look at your commitment and own it! Refuse to allow any cracks in your foundation that could jeopardize the achievement of your Why.

Author's Bio: 

In September 2001, John Di Lemme founded Di Lemme Development Group, Inc., a company known worldwide for its role in expanding the personal development industry. As President and CEO, John strives for excellence in every area of his business and believes that you must surround yourself with a like-minded team in order to stay on top of your game.

In addition to building a successful company, John has changed lives around the globe as an international motivational speaker that has spoken in over five hundred venues. Over the past thirteen years, he has shared the stage with the best of the best including Rich Devos, Denis Waitley, Jim Rohn, and Les Brown only to name a few. This is truly an amazing feat for someone that was clinically diagnosed as a stutterer at a very young age and told that he would never speak fluently.

John truly believes that everyone needs personal development to reach their full potential in life, and his determination to reach all forms of media with his motivational messages has catapulted his career. John has produced over four hundred fifty products and is an accomplished author of thirteen books including his best-selling book, “47 Secrets of Extreme Customer Service.” As a Strategic Business Coach and Small Business Expert, John’s students include doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, consultants, CEOs of million dollar companies, and various other occupations that are thriving in a so-called poor economy. John’s success with his students has made him one of the most highly sought after business coaches in the world.

John’s passion is to teach others how to live a champion life despite the label that society has placed on them. Through his books, audio/video materials, sold-out live seminars, numerous television interviews, intensive training boot camps, weekly tele-classes, Strategic Business Coaching, Closing & Marketing University, Millionaire Affirmation Academy, Small Business Motivational Marketing Daily Tip, and Lifestyle Freedom Club memberships, John has made success a reality for thousands worldwide.