Qualities: COMMITMENT
Commitment is greater than ambition. It is deeper, something very serious, long term. Commitment is more than just a promise, so easily broken. It is based on an understanding of who you are, where you are going, how to get there. It is not only the car and driver, but the roadmap and the fuel.
Without involvement, there is no commitment.
––Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, 1989
Once you reach adulthood, the key to success will not be demonstrating teacher-pleasing competence across fields; it will be finding a few things you love, and then committing yourself passionately to them.
––David Brooks, Op-Ed columnist, New York Times
Our boot camp attrition is below 12%, and I think the warrior ethos has a lot to do with it. That is not just about soldier stuff. It’s about life. It’s about how you think about your family and your commitment to your spouse, your children, your parents. It is about setting goals, having priorities, and having the discipline to do it. The citizens we return are going to be important for the country. This generation of kids, this is an amazing generation. And the country needs it.
––General Peter Schoomaker, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, U.S. News and World Report, February 27, 2006
In battle, and in much of life, to commit means to take the initiative, to leave the safety of your position and expose yourself to danger in confronting the enemy. Once you launch yourself into that new world there is no turning back. It is a crucial decision. Sometimes the plans are long gone, and you have to work it out as you go. But your determination and your belief in yourself are still the same, and even more important. You accept greater risk and vulnerability in return for the opportunity of winning.
––John Roberts
Commitment raises promise to a higher level. Promises are so easily and frequently broken that we need a different word and concept to define our genuine and well-founded belief that we will deliver. Not only are we sure of our belief, but we know we have the resources to back it up. Promise says: Sure I’ll do it. Commitment says: I know I can and I know I will.
Making a commitment is an important pledge of your character with which you intend to give your all and achieve the goal. Despite all difficulties and the passage of time, you are totally involved and motivated. Find another word and state of mind for those half-hearted intentions and hopes that we toss aside like childhood promises.
Commitment is a promise to yourself and to others, both of whom may and should depend on it. It is important to match the depth of the commitment with the expectations of those to whom it is made. Then, there will be less misunderstanding and disappointment if things don’t work out. When you commit, people expect serious, if not complete, attention and action. They depend on it, and make decisions and investments based on it. It is giving your word, and the handshake of a gentleman of principle.
Commitment requires careful selection and precise identification of responsibility. It must not be wasted on uncertainty and lack of ability to carry through. One does not make commitments without deep thought and full knowledge of how far you will go and what you are prepared to give. Financial commitments may be precise, others vague, but we should think of all commitments as very well-defined and equally clear in the minds of both parties. It does not go too far to say that it is a contract, even if not written and signed.
The failure to meet a commitment may not have the consequences of a broken legal contract; but the thought must be there on both sides. The failure goes beyond embarrassment and disappointment: It goes to a lack of judgment and foresight; it goes to lower dependability and integrity; it borders on honesty and intent. Failures may be beyond our control, things happen, and we must be understanding and forgiving if the commitment is not met. We must judge fairly, but not be too lenient. We must hold up the standards of this ideal concept. We should expect that there will be consequences, in attitude and respect, if not material.
Without involvement, there is no commitment.
––Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, 1989
Once you reach adulthood, the key to success will not be demonstrating teacher-pleasing competence across fields; it will be finding a few things you love, and then committing yourself passionately to them.
––David Brooks, Op-Ed columnist, New York Times
Our boot camp attrition is below 12%, and I think the warrior ethos has a lot to do with it. That is not just about soldier stuff. It’s about life. It’s about how you think about your family and your commitment to your spouse, your children, your parents. It is about setting goals, having priorities, and having the discipline to do it. The citizens we return are going to be important for the country. This generation of kids, this is an amazing generation. And the country needs it.
––General Peter Schoomaker, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, U.S. News and World Report, February 27, 2006
In battle, and in much of life, to commit means to take the initiative, to leave the safety of your position and expose yourself to danger in confronting the enemy. Once you launch yourself into that new world there is no turning back. It is a crucial decision. Sometimes the plans are long gone, and you have to work it out as you go. But your determination and your belief in yourself are still the same, and even more important. You accept greater risk and vulnerability in return for the opportunity of winning.
––John Roberts
Commitment raises promise to a higher level. Promises are so easily and frequently broken that we need a different word and concept to define our genuine and well-founded belief that we will deliver. Not only are we sure of our belief, but we know we have the resources to back it up. Promise says: Sure I’ll do it. Commitment says: I know I can and I know I will.
Making a commitment is an important pledge of your character with which you intend to give your all and achieve the goal. Despite all difficulties and the passage of time, you are totally involved and motivated. Find another word and state of mind for those half-hearted intentions and hopes that we toss aside like childhood promises.
Commitment is a promise to yourself and to others, both of whom may and should depend on it. It is important to match the depth of the commitment with the expectations of those to whom it is made. Then, there will be less misunderstanding and disappointment if things don’t work out. When you commit, people expect serious, if not complete, attention and action. They depend on it, and make decisions and investments based on it. It is giving your word, and the handshake of a gentleman of principle.
Commitment requires careful selection and precise identification of responsibility. It must not be wasted on uncertainty and lack of ability to carry through. One does not make commitments without deep thought and full knowledge of how far you will go and what you are prepared to give. Financial commitments may be precise, others vague, but we should think of all commitments as very well-defined and equally clear in the minds of both parties. It does not go too far to say that it is a contract, even if not written and signed.
The failure to meet a commitment may not have the consequences of a broken legal contract; but the thought must be there on both sides. The failure goes beyond embarrassment and disappointment: It goes to a lack of judgment and foresight; it goes to lower dependability and integrity; it borders on honesty and intent. Failures may be beyond our control, things happen, and we must be understanding and forgiving if the commitment is not met. We must judge fairly, but not be too lenient. We must hold up the standards of this ideal concept. We should expect that there will be consequences, in attitude and respect, if not material.
posted by John Roberts @ 6:54 PM
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