Commitment

My favorite commitment quotation is Goethe's, which goes like this :"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw  back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative  (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.

What ever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!"

Commitment is a powerful force, that moves or, perhaps, aligns with providence . Below are some reflections on Commitment from my friend and collaborator Julie van Amerongen, followed by some more by me.

May the force (of commitment) be with you!

Yours in Working for Good,

Jeff



“If you deny yourself commitment, what can you do with your life?” ~ Harvey Fierstein

Most of us are committed to something that requires mutual commitment from others – relationships, an organization, our Monday night poker game…  But commitment in terms of Working for Good is a commitment first and foremost to yourself, to your values, principles, and personal growth.  It requires clarity, consistency, and persistence, and is, in its very nature, active, hard work.

Once you are clear about what you want to commit to, commitment can be profoundly liberating.  It frees up your energy to focus on your work and sometimes it seems as if things start lining up to support you in your action toward your goal/s.  Commitment catalyzes action a whole lot faster than hoping, wishing, dreaming, or praying. 

Do your commitments line up with where you want to go?  If not, better get committed to making some commitments!

“I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.” ~ Frank Lloyd Wright

Jeff: Keeping commitments is one of the most powerful building blocks of integrity—the ability to congruently hold together, the way a tree holds together with its roots seamlessly connected to its trunk, which seamlessly connects to its branches and out to its leaves. If our intention aligns with our expression, which aligns with our actions, we cultivate integrity—and others recognize us for it. Keeping our word to ourselves is the initial step in keeping our commitments. Keeping our word to others ensues from there. Holding each other accountable for our commitments is a great service we provide to one another. A short list of core commitments for Working for Good might include: continually cultivate awareness, stay on purpose, act according to principles, and support one another in doing all three of these.


LINKS

Commitment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDnPeZoaVno