#105, Are You Committed?

We live in a culture famous for its canceling, quitting, and retreating tendencies. Then we wonder why we can’t get the hard things done. Hey, Sweet Sister, this journey you are on for habit and health changes is worth the fight and the commitment. Today I’m going to walk you through the steps you can take so that you don’t quit on yourself.

Commitment is not a magical condition that only comes when you hit your sweet spot and everything goes right or is right for you. That is completely off-base for what commitment really is. Oxford dictionary defines commitment as: the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.

Dedication is a decision. Dedication takes preparation. Dedication requires us to move beyond comfort and convenience. For those reasons, many of us find that we are not committed whenever things get hard. Instead, we casually put our dreams down. 

A few weeks ago, my husband and I made a contract with our eldest daughter, Adela. She loves every animal on the planet and we’ve lost count of the different species she has asked to have as a pet in the house or another critter on the farm. Honestly, we usually turn her down. However, she is getting more crafty, presenting reasons and creating plans behind her requests. So, when presented with her most recent desire for a goldfish that doesn’t live in a stock tank, we decided to see what she had in her commitment bank. We asked her to first tell us why she wanted a goldfish and then do some research about their needs and what equipment would be required. She did both eagerly. However, we still weren’t convinced. We needed to know she was committed to the animal. So, we made a contract where she could earn her fish and the equipment by doing extra chores. She is three weeks in and still hasn’t changed her mind. So far, she remains dedicated to her choice. 

Now, we aren’t 11 years old and our dreams to make permanent changes to our health and habits isn’t going to take just a few weeks. We need to have the dedication and commitment to keep going as long as it takes to reach those goals. Thankfully, this is something you don’t have to wait for, you can create it. 

1. Know WHY and visualize your future. It is worth sitting down and really considering what you are trying to accomplish with those health and habit goals. What kind of person do you want to be? How do you want to feel emotionally, mentally, physically and mentally? 

 

1. Have specific goals. Don’t be vague. Have something you can measure. Have a goal where you will know when you reach that finish line. This is crucial because it both allows you to really know when you are making progress and it will play into the accountability piece we will talk about in a second. 

 

1. Make a plan for hard days. Don’t just make a plan for the perfect day, make a plan for the hard day. For example, today I had a busy high-stress day with testing at school. I didn’t come home and expect to cook a 4-course healthy meal. Instead I am sticking to what is easy to make and still serves my body. I also didn’t settle into my stress by filling my body with junk, I ate easy to make food I enjoy. 

 

1. Create accountability. After you have created a specific goal, share it to someone. Commit to regularly check in with that person. Seek the help of a coach or join a group. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to do that check-in or to graph your progress somewhere. 

Adela is still working hard with her extra chores, doing her best to earn her fish tank. I watch her and realize that it is more than just hard work, it is a choice. A choice to do something hard instead of something easy. She could give up and do less work, having more time for Legos and running around in the pastures with her lambs, but she chooses to strive toward her goal. I’m proud of her. 

Sweetheart, one last thing about commitment: are you honoring your hard work? Are you recognizing the great choices YOU are making, too? Are you proud of your progress and proud of all the little things you do to get yourself there? 

Commitment is a lot about relationships. Adela’s commitment is also related to the trust she has with her parents, knowing we will honor her work. What about you? What kind of relationship do you have with your soul? Do you never stop to recognize what you have done? Do you always simply push forward to the next thing, the next goal? Build that loving and honoring relationship with yourself and you’ll also find that commitment comes easier. 

Well, sweet sister, I hope you are loving this fall weather and remember that if you want some extra support and community in the holiday season around your health and habit choices, you can now join my membership and get full access to the 12-week course for just $5. 

I’ll be back next week with another great episode. Until then, all my love, and goodbye for now.

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