Mindset for Leading a Healthy Lifestyle – Commitment

  • Commitment and persistence are needed to experience true benefits of a meaningful change in our life. And the fact is, it takes time for results to show up and it takes time to gain momentum. It takes time for our mindset to take shape and align to our new way of lifestyle.
  • Most probably any new task or activity we do to improve our well-being requires extra effort, time, it feels uncomfortable initially, may be difficult. And the fact is that it is meant to be that way. If we do not experience any stress while we are moving out of our comfort zone, it may mean that we are actually not doing anything that is testing our potential.
  • Commitment is difficult and scary to many because commitment means ‘No matter What’, there is no turning back, commitment is unconditional, commitment means ‘No excuses’. Once we are committed to something ‘Only results matter and reasons does not matter’ and it also means ‘No more excuses are accepted’.
  • When we make a resolution, the most important question we need to ask is ‘Are we committed?’. If you are unsure, that means you are already aware of the challenges on the way and you lack the confidence to take a stand that you are going to stick to the plan no matter what happens. Hence, you are still in the mindset of ‘Searching for reasons and excuses’ to give up on the decision at any giving point of time. Sticking to our decision should not be dependent on the internal and external circumstances we are in.
  • We need grit to stand alone and go against the common thinking of the society. If you want to be an exception in anything in life, then it requires a passion to persevere through all ups and downs. It takes everything in us to excel in any area of life. As some one said, the most difficult thing to do in life is to go against the common thinking of your close ones and your community. We all experience resistance mainly from our loved ones when we are take some hard and tough decisions in life.
  • Sticking to our decision should not be dependent on the internal and external circumstances we are in. When we make a commitment, it is inevitable that certain events in life would make us question ‘Should I’ continue or not. In those times, we need to question ‘How do I make it through’ because commitment is a matter of choice and not a matter of external situation. When we make a commitment, we need to comply to it ‘No matter what’. We need to empower ourselves and motivate by asking ‘How can I’ kind of questions.
  • Unexpected life events have more power than we assume. Life keeps throwing curve balls at us at various stages of life as we progress. But commitment must not be dependent on the uncertainties of life. You cannot create conditions around commitments. If our commitments are dependent on ongoing circumstances in life, we complain, blame others, create lame reasons and valid excuses to quit.
  • When our negative emotions are running high, it is easy to give up, to quit, to not show up, to complain, to blame others and external factors, to give excuses for breaking the promises. Be mindful of this natural human instinct and find a way to stand by your decision with a strong will.
  • Once we commit, we need not to keep pushing ourselves even if it harming our overall well-being. Of course there is a saturation point where one might have to give up and move on. But before that can you say whole heartedly that you have given everything to make it possible.
  • We can only commit ourselves, endure the trials and tribulations, overcome the hurdles only when we can associate our intent with a clear purpose in future. If we do not attach a clear meaning to why we are doing what we are doing now, anything and everything can distract us. Having a mission with a vision is important to stay on track and get back on track if we get lost for a while.

Interesting articles in this series :

~Praveen Jada

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