Happy Anniversary to Us!
Today I want to talk about the concept of committing to yourself and saying I DO! Here’s where this video is coming from. Recently my husband and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary. It certainly doesn’t seem like it’s been 28 years!
Our anniversary has had me doing a lot of thinking about commitment. How a couple can last 28 years or even longer. The commitment that you make to your significant other when you say I DO.
Have You Committed to That?
My business coach spoke these words to me recently when discussing a project I was considering. “Have you really made a commitment to that?” That simple question was a real eye opener to me. It was so profound. I was able to reflect for a minute and say, no, I didn’t make a commitment because I was making excuses.
Saying I DO to each other is very similar to saying I DO to yourself!
Let’s talk about the definition of commitment. A commitment is dedication to a person, a cause, or a thing. Here are some synonyms for commitment: loyalty, devotion, allegiance, bond, fidelity, attentiveness. To be committed means you are loyal to something. You are bonded to something. You will show devotion.
Significant Other vs. Yourself
So, let’s talk about how similar the commitment you have to a significant other is to the commitment you should have to yourself. Then I want to talk about the commitments you can make in the pursuit of your success.
First, let’s talk about the difference in commitment with someone else and yourself. At the beginning of a relationship, you truly enjoy each other’s company. You have deep conversations and you truly get to know each other. You get to know their likes and dislikes. You get to brag on your spouse.
Now let’s talk about that same type of commitment, but to yourself. Can you say that you enjoy spending time with yourself? Do you enjoy being quiet and just getting to know yourself? Do you ask yourself questions about what you like, dislike, and what are you dreams and passions? Do you talk about what makes you unique?
There’s a reason why you stay with your spouse, but do you say the same thing about yourself? Do you downplay your accomplishments instead of acknowledging them?
Are You With Yourself?
In a marriage, you are with that person through good times and bad. You support each other and cheer each other on. Can you say that about yourself? Are you with yourself in good times and in bad, or do you give up?
In a relationship, you also take care of the way you look because you know that’s what the other person likes. Do you take care of yourself? Are you exercising? Are you paying attention to your own needs? Are you practicing self-care?
Just like in a committed relationship, when you don’t look the way you did when you first got married, you don’t leave that person because of that. You accept them the way they are. Do you have self-love, no matter what? Do you love yourself just the way you are, like you would a significant other or spouse?
Pursuit of Success and Significance
Now, let’s talk about the commitment you make in the pursuit of success. You know I don’t always like to use the word success, because I believe there is significance you can leave in the world. The truth is, there are no shortcuts to success or significance. You must follow that long windy road of ups and downs, and you have to be 100% dedicated.
Say I DO to Believing in Yourself
The first commitment you must make to yourself is to say I DO to believing in yourself. Can you say that? Other people believing in you is only half the equation. You must believe in yourself.
You must take ownership in order to succeed in your business. You must check your mindset. Check those stories you’re telling yourself. Are you believing in yourself or telling yourself stories that you brought with you from childhood? About not being good at certain things? About not speaking your mind?
Are you writing down the great things about yourself? Are you journaling? Do you write down your strengths, your weaknesses, your accomplishments? I put together a series of seven days of affirmations that I will send to you if you don’t have the ability to affirm yourself. They will really do wonders for your mindset!
Say I DO to Being Coachable
The second thing is to say I DO to being coachable. Be a learner, not a know it all. I absolutely love to learn things. I’m a sponge! I love to read. Ask questions. Listen to podcasts. Say I DO to being coachable.
Here’s the caveat – there comes a time when you have to think on your own too. You can’t just regurgitate everyone else’s ideas. You need to have original ideas as well. Be coachable, but be original.
Say I DO to Massive Action
The third thing to commit to is to say I DO to massive action. You have a goal, you have things you want to accomplish, so you must commit to massive action. Do you plan? Do you time block? Do you set goals? I want you to really focus on setting smart, realistic, attainable goals. Have you said I DO to getting it done?
Say I DO to Saying YES and NO
Next, say I DO to saying YES and saying NO. Here’s what I mean…
Learn how to say YES to stepping outside your comfort zone. As a coach, I love helping my clients get clarity and direction. Sometimes there are things you want to do, but you’re afraid of doing them. I tell them, you have to say YES to the difficult things! Nothing changes until something changes, right?
You must also say NO to some things. Perhaps you have to make sure you say NO in this season in your life to shopping sprees, or nights out. These are good things, but when you have a goal in front of you, you sometimes have to say no to certain extracurricular activities.
Say I DO to Never Giving Up
Lastly, commit by saying I DO and never giving up. Slow and steady is better than intensity sometimes. Consistency is better than intensity. Have faith. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Delays are not denials. We all fall down sometimes. We all fail. But like I said before, failure is a bruise, not a tattoo. Say I DO and commit to never giving up!
What Do You Want to Conquer?
In conclusion, you have to commit to yourself in both your life, and for the success of your business.
Here’s a quote I just love:
“You cannot conquer what you are not committed to.”
Girl, what do you want to conquer? You have to say I DO and commit to it!
If you got any value out of this, please pay it forward and share it with someone! If you know someone who is having trouble believing in herself in this stage of her life, share this with her. Help her commit to saying I DO to herself. And most importantly…commit to saying I DO to yourself, too!
