COMMIT

Everyone has noble thoughts, good intentions and certainly the desire to be an ideal individual. Many a time these positive thoughts propel us into action and we begin with élan and panache only to falter, fail and give up too soon. For the vast majority our intent keeps the desire burning in us but does not manifest itself in anything tangible or substantial. The key to transforming our lives into the ideal and successful individual we intent to be, is in making a determined effort to COMMIT ourselves to what we set out to do. The moment we make that effort to commit to our plans and dreams is the moment we Create One Major Magical Instant Transformation

We fail to commit for a variety of reasons. Top of the list is our sheer laziness.  Sadly that is followed by our unwillingness to challenge ourselves, our fear of failure, our penchant for escapism to more enjoyable pursuits and of course lack of self discipline. If we delve into our school/ college days, many of us would make the regrettable and painful realization that our marks and performance were not up to our abilities simply because we did not commit ourselves to the rigors of studying for the reasons elucidated earlier. Despite this realization, we continue with our wayward ways and hope for some divine miracle or some chance success. It is essential to remember here that if you want to win the lottery you must commit the price of the lottery ticket and buy the lottery; no pain no gain is the simple principle.

Fast forward your thoughts to those momentous events in your life that made you happy and elated. Underlying each of those moments, there would surely be commitment made by either you or someone close to you to ensure those magical moments. It could be the first time you were applauded by your teacher or the very first goal you scored in a match. It could be a fancy dress completion in which you won a prize or the time you cleared a competitive exam. What is common is that for every little success you enjoyed you did commit yourself to the task on hand. Whilst other too would have made similar commitments, with a wee bit of luck and perhaps your special talent and ability you managed to taste success. There could many moments that your recollect where despite you committing yourself you were disappointed with the outcome. However you will never regret those moments because you know for sure that it was not because you didn’t commit that you didn’t win but for reasons beyond your control.

So how does one ensure that one can commit to something? The first is to decide what you want to commit yourself too. This is a very tough decision because many a time there are so many equally attractive opportunities competing for your attention. Remember Mr.V.V.S.Laxaman the star batsmen in the Indian cricket team. He had to make a momentous decision in his teens whether to pursue his academics and follow his parent’s footsteps and become a doctor or to pursue his love for cricket despite it being an extremely competitive sport. He did commit to the latter and the rest is history. Notice there was nothing common between the choices on hand for him.  Once you decide what to commit to, be prepared to give it your all. This means sacrificing a lot of pleasures, being self disciplined, being ready to face the physical and psychological pain, having the courage to fall down and get up no matter how hurt you are and being ready to shut yourself away from all forms of temptations. Does this guarantee success? Alas the answer is NO but it definitely brightens the chances of success because once you COMMIT you Create One Major Magical Instant Transformation and you will be a changed individual forever. 

Action Points:

1. Take out your New Year resolution list or prepare one right away. It must have at least 3 short term goals, perhaps another 3-5 medium term goals and possibly 3 long term goals. For each of these goals outline at least 2 firm commitments to ensure your progress towards achieving your goals. E.g. If you have a long term goal of achieving X amount by the age of 55 list out how much you will save from today and where will you invest it. To arrive at the savings figure each month you may have to do a fair bit of calculations but that is all part of what you have committed to. Or if you have short term goal of improving your scores in the coming exams prepare a study time table and allot more time to the subject you are weak in or dislike.
2. Can you remember 2 of your most passionate dreams? Perhaps it includes things like meeting your favorite icon or owning a fancy car or creating a mobile app etc. Now commit yourself to the intermediary steps to achieve that dream.
3. Outline 5 of the most pleasurable diversions / activities that you love. (Partying / movies / TV / sleeping / chat / mobile games etc. could be part of that list.) Commit yourself to sacrificing 3 out of the 5 in order to achieve your dreams/ goals.

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Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

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DECIDE

To decide is perhaps one of the toughest challenges we face on a regular basis. It could be as simple as making up our mind as to what to order in a restaurant or it could be making a life altering decision like choosing a spouse or planning the next career move. The whole process of taking that plunge to DECIDE can be simply expressed to imply that we  Do Express Clearly Ideal Definite Edict.

However, as most people will testify, decision making is perhaps one of the toughest challenges that an individual faces. When we attempt to analyze why we find it tough to DECIDE, we realize that there are broadly 3 reasons for our inability to commit to a course of action. 

The first problem is information processing and our inability to completely absorb the data. In the past there was lack of credible and timely information. Today the problem is information overload, which effectively confuses and paralyzes us when we attempt to demystify it. While we could have models to process quantitative data, we have to use judgment, gut feeling and instinct to get a grip on qualitative data. In both cases the ultimate decision making is made by an individual. Even if programs are automated to trigger decisions, the logic and the parameters are by and large specified by individuals. 

The second problem is our personal craving and inability to give up something. Every decision is ultimately a choice and that implies that there is an alternative. Far too often we are unwilling to completely let go of the alternative and so we end up vacillating between the choices on hand. We run the risk of trying to compromise between the alternatives and trying to get the best of all alternatives. It won’t be long before one realizes that a compromise always has a downside which sooner than later outlines that the compromise decision was faulty.

The third problem is the fear of making that commitment which if wrong can make us rue it for a long time. It takes a lot of guts and daring to actually commit to a line of action. Once the die is cast there is no turning back and this means that one has to live with the consequences. It is the fear of failure that overshadows the possibility of success and glory and the weak hearted prefer to remain indecisive. Ironically not taking a decision too is a decision albeit it being a forced decision.

When one has to DECIDE the key is to try and have a time frame, gather as much data as possible and analyze it and then after weighing the pros and cons and the perceived outcome make up one’s mind and then Do Express Clearly Ideal Definite Edict 

Action Point

1. You hear rumors that a very close friend of yours has been involved in some undesirable activities. You are also aware that your friend is a very sensitive person and would easily take offense to insinuations. You want to quash the rumors or ensure that your friend is cautioned so that he does not get into serious trouble. You are disturbed and are keen to know the truth. How will you decide what to do next and what will your next course of action be?
2. If you had a Rs.1,00,000 and had to allocate the resource amongst the following needs how and what will your decisions be:

• Your mother wants a sum of Rs.50,000 for some major repairs to her house

• Your sibling wants Rs.50,000  to complete his education

• You have to invest an equivalent amount in a tax saving scheme in order to save 40% tax

• Your spouse / best friend wants Rs.50,000 for an urgent surgery of a family member.

 Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/  is focused on -

 Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/