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What is Commitment?
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More Articles By
Praveen Panicker
By Praveen Panicker: Mahatma Gandhi won freedom for India from the mighty British
Empire using the novel weapon of non-violence, Thomas Alva Edison invented the
Electric Bulb after numerous failed attempts , Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a
great struggle for the emancipation of the blacks in America.
Do you know what is common to all these great personalities?
-
nothing other than
Commitment
Many successful people are hailed as visionary leaders. If we carefully analyse
then we can find that they hold firmly to a simple set of commitments. It is the
strength of these commitments, religiously followed, that led to their success.
The most important
single factor in individual success is COMMITMENT. Commitment ignites action. It
means practicing your beliefs consistently. As an old saying "Stand for
something or you'll fall for anything."
The combination of a strong, positive commitment to self, society and the
organisation makes an individual successful.
First and foremost is to attain the self commitment. For which we
have to be
persistent.
Believing that you are unique, valuable and with a
purpose is essential. If you are following your passions and purpose, why would
you give up? Yes there will be intervals, roadblocks and such. Use your
challenges as learning opportunities and renew your commitment.
Then behave as if
we already have what we seek. Consider what you want,
what you believe is possible. And focus on it. So don’t wait till tomorrow
comes. Live your life as if that life you envision is occurring now.
Finally invest in yourself.
The programs we’ve studied, the mentors who have
helped us, were invaluable. Your self-investment will help you overcome the
confusion and stuckness?? we all encounter.
This we can see from
the story of Florence Nightingale, She was born in a wealthy family in 1825
Florence
parents want her to marry and settle down when she reach the age of 21. But she
doesn’t want to entrap in domestic responsibilities. She believed that she had a
calling to serve. In 1853 Crimean war broke out. It was a bloody war and the
stories from the battle field shocked the entire nation.
Florence went to the Crimean in 1855 and was
asked to organise a group of nurses. Florence soon blended her unique passion
for cleanliness with her compassion for the injured and dying. Stories reached
the English press of how comforting she was to the injured soldiers and her name
became synonymous with caring. Florence Nightingale returned to England after
the war and opened a school for Nursing at St Thomas's hospital London
Florence Nightingale is not famous because she became a Nurse, she became
famous because she thought outside of the box, did something she was not
supposed to do, disobeyed her parents and followed her dream to help people and
make a difference. It is easy to follow a path that is already marked out, but
making a new path takes courage and determination, how easily she could have
failed to achieve her goal, thankfully she succeeded, she has a place in history
because she was motivated and determined.
What does the word commitment mean to you in your marriage? Is it something
you've thought about much? Was it an issue when you got married?
Yes
off course commitment between the husband and wife is the key to a successful
marriage. Since every relationship is unique, what that means practically will
vary from couple to couple. We show our commitment to each other by being aware
of each other’s needs, joys, hurts and hopes. We also show it by checking out
our attitudes and behaviour to make sure they're helpful to our relationship.
That doesn't necessarily mean being a "Yes Person". Sometimes we need to
challenge each other lovingly.
The truth is, demonstrating commitment is not an easy task we need to put lot of
hard work. Wavering commitment is usually seen as no commitment at all. The only
way to achieve a reputation for commitment is through determination and
persistence. Genuine commitment stands the test of time.
Commitment is most difficult and most readily proven during tough times. How
someone weathers the storms most clearly demonstrates their basic beliefs. "a
captain earns his reputation during the storms." The real test comes when you
can hold the line against the easy route of compromise.
David Livingston would have made history if he had compromised his commitment, a
European after living in East Africa for more than 12 years he had a desire to
travel to west. It was not possible to travel alone. So he decided to seek the
help of the tribal chief for sending a group of people along with him. Tribal
chief was not in favour of that since he knew it is not going to be an easy task
also he felt Whites are not trustworthy. But Livingston promised him to return
his people. He pledges his life to show his commitment.
The journey was every bit as dangerous as it was thought to
be. But finally, they made it to the west coast, and they stumbled into the port
of Luanda, which had been their target, they were amazed by finding a British
warship there. And that warship had been sent from England for the specific
purpose of finding Livingston and bringing him back, on the orders of Queen
Victoria.
The captain came to him and said, "Sir, Queen Victoria has
sent me to urge you to return. All England is waiting to honour you." Very
tempting. The request, even the order of the Queen, because when the Queen
invites, that is a command in most cases. And the thought of going home, and the
thought of being honoured, but Livingston had a problem. He had made a promise.
"Well," they assured him, "the promise of a white man to an African doesn't
matter. And the Queen is more important than a chief."
Livingston had made a commitment, and despite all the urgings
of the naval officers who were there, he turned his back and headed back into
the jungle. The round trip ended 2 1/2 years after he started, with him
delivering those people back.
To honor his commitment.
That was probably why, when Livingston died, the Africans
were very committed to bury his heart in Africa. They were more than willing to
listen to a man whose word was something they could trust. It was also something
very important to Livingston - his whole life was staked on a very simple
promise
Remember, Commitment is a two-way street. You only get it if you are willing to
give it.
Theodore Roosevelt: Quote:
Do what you can, with
what you have, where you are.
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