“If you are called to do something, don’t let a little detail like not feeling ready get in the way.” ~Rebecca Campbell
Around this time two years ago a close colleague and friend came into my office, looked around, and asked me what was wrong. He quietly and confidently stated that I was unhappy. Of course not, I quickly rebuked. He instantly saw what I was trying desperately to hide from myself.
There were no personal effects in my office. Not one photo on my desk, not one picture on the wall. I hadn’t even scribbled in my handwriting on the giant whiteboard beside me. No projects planned out, no task list. As he said, I could have simply walked out the door at any moment, and no one would know I was ever there. I am forever grateful for that conversation and all the subsequent emotional turmoil and tears it created.
I wasn’t committed. I knew it, my friend knew it, and the universe knew it.
We commit to things all the time - relationships, careers, businesses, parenthood, plans for dinner.
But how often are those commitments made intentionally, with our conscious mind? How often do we find ourselves in the middle of something we don’t remember signing up for? How often have we let our subconscious patterning, the grooves in our brains, decide for us?
The internet tells me that I need to be consistent with my social media posting. That my audience needs to feel comfortable with me and that happens only when my actions (showing up and posting) are predictable.
Do you know what’s hard to do when you’re not committed? Be consistent.
Being consistent is a surface level action. Being committed is a soul promise.
Commitment is a result of priorities and values. It’s one decision - made and done. I don’t need to recommit every day. If I need to recommit every day, within a week I’m exhausted and (surprise!) no longer committed.
Being committed is saying ‘I trust me to show up in this way for myself because I said I would.’
A very large part of my journey on this earth centers around my health. My habits and routines ebb and flow based on my level of commitment. As a result, my health ebbs and flows.
If you are in business, and your habits, routines and level of commitment to making it work ebb and flow, your revenue is going to ebb and flow.
If you are partaking in a personal creative project, and your habits and routines around showing up and doing the work ebb and flow, your results are going to reflect that.
We only need to look at our results to assess how committed we are. Inconsistent revenue, declining health, rocky relationships…. How are we showing up? Are we committed to it? Probably not.
Once we are committed, we take aligned action. That’s where the magic is. That’s where our power lies. We don’t need to know what’s coming next. When we commit, quitting isn’t even an option. Our brain then does what it does to solve whatever obstacle is currently in our path.
When we truly commit, we tell our brains, our soul, and the universe that we’re in it for the long haul. That no matter the obstacle (real or imagined) we will persevere and stick with it because it matters THAT MUCH.
The day I walked into my partner’s office and ended the way our relationship looked was the day I committed to myself, my health and my business.
What are you intentionally committed to?
Journaling is a big part of my daily life. It’s how I know what I think. Otherwise it gets all jumbled up in my head and influences my decisions unconsciously. Living life on purpose with intention is my goal. Journaling helps me get there. Free writing is my preferred method, but sometimes I need a little push in a direction to get started. I thought maybe you may need some inspiration as well.
Enter the question of the day writing prompts:
Think back to a point in your life when you consciously decided that who you were wasn’t enough. What happened? What does this younger version of you need to hear now?
Who in your life raises you up, wants you to win and is genuinely happy when you shine?
What are you not seeing in yourself that longs to be seen?
What is your soul aching for? What small thing can you do to answer that ache today?
If you weren’t afraid, what would you do?
Question everything. And then move forward with grace and love.
Diane
My 4/6 line loves a community - if my writing sparked a thought in your head or a feeling in your body, please leave a comment or hit reply and let’s talk about it.
I would be ever so grateful if you shared this post with a friend. Thank you!
WAYS TO WORK WITH ME
Expand your team by hiring me as your virtual CFO. As the virtual CFO I would only be wearing the financial matters hat - not the marketing hat, the salesperson hat, or the HR hat. My expertise is focused solely on financial matters, allowing me to be the main financial strategist for the business and a strategic business partner for you. Click here to schedule a consultation.
Hire me for six months of one-on-one coaching (business and/or personal). Tell me a little about yourself and your business. We'll get the conversation going about how I can help you get unstuck.
Drop me a note and let me know what you’re working on and anything you're struggling with.
Know someone that would love this email? Forward it to them via this link
Great read! The title spoke to me with everything I’m about to commit to. Self doubt sometimes tries to creep in but I’m continuing to move forward. Thank you!
I really love the questions and writing prompts at the end. They cause you to think deeper