Here is what I have discovered. There is a shining bridge between willpower and enthusiasm: Commitment.
Commitment is a tool we all need in order to realize big dreams, visions and aspirations for ourselves and our world.
Yet, commitment, is often misunderstood. In today’s post I will clear up some misconceptions and show you how to connect with your own commitment.
[This is the 2nd installment in a series on Enthusiasm vs. Willpower and how to realize your life dreams. If you missed the first post, you can read it here.]
Scottish mountaineer W. H. Murray said:
“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 and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: ‘Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.’ Begin it now.”
Commitment, once made, must be repeatedly renewed in the heart through the power of re-committing.
The Most Powerful Tool on the Path to Our Dreams
by Ruthie Martin
Recommitting is probably the most essential tool on the path to realizing our dreams.
On the path to our big dreams, we will encounter many setbacks, disappointments and challenges. We will meet our own resistance and faltering self-belief. We will get thrown off by unexpected life events and unanticipated challenges, by enticing distractions and the allure of comfort.
It is completely normal to fall off along the path to our dreams. It’s what we do next that matters.
Recommitting gives us a way to get back on the proverbial horse and ultimately realize the fulfillment of our great aspirations.
Commitment Must Come From the Heart
If we attempt to be committed to a dream, a project, a relationship, from the mind alone, our commitment will be dull and hard to maintain. To be a true commitment, it must arise naturally, without force, from the love in our heart.
The paradox of commitment is this: We cannot manufacture true commitment in the mind. But we can and must be conscious of our commitments and renew them consciously. We must make a conscious choice to recommit to that which matters to us, to our highest aspirations and deepest values.
We do this by reconnecting to our love for that person, place, dream. We reconnect to our vision for it, what it means to us, what it gives to us and others, and/or what it can give.
In reconnecting to our vision, love, and what has meaning for us, our commitment naturally rekindles.
Accessing a New Kind of Will
From this heart-centered commitment and conscious choice, we can then access the energy of will in a positive way to help us move past resistance, discomfort, doubt and fear and actually take the next step on our path of dreams—whether that next step is picking up a paintbrush, going to the gym, or calling a prospective agent.
Once reconnected to vision and love, to our deep why, our will is energized and not forceful. We know why we are doing what we long to do, and we are motivated from a deeper place than just thinking we should do it.
Then, we aren’t beating ourselves up to do it. We don’t have to battle ourselves and be at war with ourselves, which is stressful, exhausting and doesn’t work. Instead, we use the positive energy of commitment to empower us to take another step in the direction of our dreams.
by Luis Davila
And, we use 30-second bursts of will to move past the initial resistance every creative person feels before beginning to create or do anything difficult and meaningful.
We use will to set clear, helpful boundaries that protect our creative time, space and energy.
We use commitment to pick ourselves up after a disappointment and continue on our path of dreams.
But that will and commitment come from love.
In my next post, I’ll talk about two different types of will and also about the inner taskmaster and the rebel. And I’ll give you a radical assignment I think you will love.
Stay tuned!
To your dreams,
Maxima
P.S. Remember, if you sign up in December for soul-based creativity coaching with me you get 40% off my regular rates. Save $300 and give yourself this profound gift to help you create your bold, beautiful visions now. Find out more here.
P.P.S. Help create a more beautiful world by sharing this post with a friend. You can use the share buttons below.
