Just Commit Already

By Niabi

In his Harvard Commencement 2018 Graduation Speech, graduate Pete Davis uses choosing what to watch on Netflix as an analogy for the way our generation approaches making choices and committing to them. His speech struck a chord with me because I realize that when it comes to commitment (or choosing what to watch on Netflix) I am more than guilty of the kind of behaviour Davis was describing. Yikes!

I’ve heard people speak about commitment with negative connotations, myself included. Commitment can feel restrictive, especially when you are forced to stick with something you don’t want to commit to. Whether it’s a job you don’t enjoy or a required class you need to graduate, life often requires us to dedicate our time and efforts towards things that we would rather “do tomorrow.”

But the more I think about it, the more I realize that the tediousness of some commitments can overshadow the value found in committing to something. Think of a major achievement you have made, one that you are extremely proud of. The time and effort it required to accomplish that achievement is where the value of commitment exists. So, here are six reasons you should try to include commitment in your life:

1. It Gives You have a Sense of Purpose:

It’s easy to feel stuck in a rut when you aren’t working towards something. Yes, your routine might start to feel repetitive or mundane, but when this happens, remind yourself of your long-term goal. This will rekindle the sense of purpose that you had when you first made the commitment, and you’ll remember how good it feels to be working towards something.

2. Commitment Sets the Standard:

Any habit, good or bad, has the tendency to influence your approach towards other aspects of your life. If you make a habit of commiting to things for the long term, like a job, a workout regimen, a relationship, a lifestyle, it will extend into other areas of your life. What you commit to will be the difference between establishing a good habit or a bad habit, so choose wisely.

3. It Leads to Achievement:

The satisfaction that comes from achieving a long term goal is indescribable. But achievement comes hand in hand with commitment. The culmination of hours of hard work, dedication, lessons learned, lack of sleep, and stress that you put into finishing a University degree, for example, is something that will carry you into the future and towards the next step in your life. But only commitment can get you there.

4. Patience:

There’s a reason they say patience is a virtue. Commitment will teach you patience, and patience will allow you to see the progress you are making which will lead to satisfaction and a determination to remain committed. It goes full circle!

5. Dependability:

Dependability is a character trait that any committed person has. Imagine if you were an employer looking at the resume of two people, one who never held a job for longer than 4 months, and the other who held the same job for 2–3 years. Which person would seem like a more committed and dependable employee?

6. Stability:

Our generation likes to keep our options open, which is why some of us find it hard to commit to anything in the first place. Picking one door and closing all the others will give you a sense of stability and will reduce how distracted you get by unexplored opportunities. This doesn’t mean that you should refuse new opportunities. No one is telling you to lock the other doors, but like Davis says, making a choice and committing to it is better than getting stuck in the hallway.

So, if ever you find yourself struggling with a commitment, try running through these six points before giving up. I really hope they help! Good luck!