“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” – Mario Andretti
Commitment to a goal, cause, business or person is nothing more than the process of making a decision. Success-Minded People know that decisions are made once and then they must be maintained. Too many people make a decision when faced with choice only to try to make a new decision the next time the choice comes around. Success-Minded People make a decision to achieve a goal and never have to make that decision again. They will be faced with a choice or some new circumstances to deal with, but the decision to achieve the goal is not in question. They only have to make adjustments along the way. Tony Robbins said, “Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.”
Some of the best advice I have heard on the decision making process came from Dr. John Maxwell. Dr. Maxwell said that the best decisions are made quickly and changed slowly. Poor decisions are made slowly and changed quickly. Some of us are good decision makers by nature. You have to make a decision so you do. It almost seems too easy. Yet for many – myself included – we are slow decision makers by nature. We feel we need to get all the information, weigh the pros and cons and then make the decision. The reality is the best decisions are made quickly. Follow your gut so to speak. I guess you can say we have to make a quick decision to make quick decisions.
Making quick decisions is not jumping ahead foolishly. We know right and wrong. If someone wants you to do something illegal or immoral, there is no decision to make. All you have to do is stay with your conviction and stand firm for what is right. If someone is in need of your help and you know you are in fact able to help them, there is no decision to make. You do what is right and best for others. Most people know what to do in most situations; they tend to avoid making a decision to avoid taking action. Abraham Lincoln said, “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Success-Minded People understand that the ability to make good and fast decisions is the key to achievement.
“Nothing is easier than saying words.” Arthur Gordon, author of A Touch of Wonder says, “Nothing is harder than living them, day after day. What you promise today must be renewed and re-decided tomorrow and each day that stretches out before you.” Once you commit to how you will live, the goals you will achieve or the things you will do you must keep that commitment every day. You do not change that from one day to the next. Success comes to the committed, not to the undecided.
© 2012 John Patrick Hickey
