Commit or Quit

One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular. - Tony Robbins

We have all heard, by now, about Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule. Basically, in his 2008 book "Outliers," Malcolm Gladwell said that you have to spend 10,000 hours at something to become an expert. If you have a goal, a dream to be acquired through work and commitment, perhaps it is this 10,000 hours that has you hedging.

Here’s the thing, if you don’t commit, you’re living a frustrating and regrettable life.  You’ll always wonder what would have happened if you had gone All In. And you’re probably pretty hard on yourself if you’re only half-assing your dream. So, not committing means not succeeding and it means a daily life of self criticism.   

Ask yourself which of these four kinds of people you have become, according to Rev. Robert Schuller at this Biz Journals article. He says:

• “First, there are the cop-outs. These people set no goals and make no decisions.
• Second, there are the holdouts. They have a beautiful dream, but they’re afraid to respond to its challenge because they aren’t sure they can make it.  
• Third, there are the dropouts. They start to make their dream come true. They know their role. They set their goals, but when the going gets tough, they quit.  
• Finally, there are the all-outs. They are the people who know their role. They want and need and are going to be stars: star students, star parents, star waitresses. They want to shine out as an inspiration to others. They set their goals. The all-outs never quit. Even when the toll gets heavy, they’re dedicated. They’re committed.”

One great piece of advice for going All Out or All In, comes from the blog of Author Ollin Morales, who advises going beyond making a goal to making a contract.  

He asks you to ask, “What do I always imagine would happen to me that gives me great feelings of joy, relief, peace, and completion? Write down this “wildest dream” on a piece of paper. Once it’s written down, take a step back and read it–because this is your life contract.”

From there, you write the contract. What is it you’re willing to do, going to do, having to do to make this happen? Write it, sign it, live it, own it. Until you do, you’re dabbling.  And virtually no one dabbles their way to success.