There is a subtle distinction between interest and commitment that can sometimes fool even the best of us into believing we are committed to a cause.
Take for example, living a healthy lifestyle. You can’t turn the page of a magazine without finding an ad about food or exercise. Talk shows, magazines, news programs all feature some form of health expert telling us how to live better. It seems everyone is interested in cracking the code for a longer, healthier life. If you took a poll of everyone you knew, and asked them two questions: 1) do you want to live a long life and 2) do you want that life to be a healthy one, I would guess the responses would be a resounding “yes”.
So why is it when we are out to eat, it is so easy to choose french fries over salad; soda over water; dessert over fruit. Clearly, if I am interested in living a healthy life, there is enough evidence to show those choices don’t support it. That is where the difference between interest and commitment comes in to play.
The committed individual knows that a healthy lifestyle is a culmination of daily choices about food and exercise, and will carry the discipline to make consistent choices to support good health (aka: Erica, my personal trainer that I bow down to in admiration and envy).
Likewise, many of us believe that we are committed to financial security, especially during these uncertain economic times. Why then do we continue to buy a daily latte, eat meals out, or use credit? Again, the gap between interest and commitment surfaces. Somehow we’ve tricked our mind into believing the two are synonymous.
Recently I did a gut check on my fitness and financial goals and realized my commitment level had waned and that something needed to change. Aware that consistency counts more than fanfare, I looked for a way to make a slight shift in my daily decisions versus some form of massive change that could be sporadic and hit or miss.
With renewed commitment in hand, I implemented two new personal rules: no eating after 8 p.m. at night and saving $10/day. The latter is a game I play of tallying my “no’s to spending” as savings. For example, when I want to stop for a latte or buy a new book, if I haven’t saved my $10, I tell myself “no” until I’ve said no to a minimum of $10 in spending that day. Simple, yes. Easy to implement, no. There lies the difference between interested and committed.
Which are you?
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Actions are the only things that count. I liked your reference to small changes. That is probably the most important key to success.
Thanks Barb! I completely agree. Take action today and celebrate the small changes that can amount to significant results over time.
Monica,
I know that it’s hard for me to stay committed. Instead of going active like you did, I went the passive way with giving myself so much to spend and tricking my brain and behaviors.
I’ve been able to do it successfully with finance but exercise is another thing. That has been much more difficult for me. I set a goal of not eating after 8PM too for months now and I haven’t been able to meet that goal yet. I’m just not committed enough.