Every day, while driving back into my neighborhood, I pass by a house with a basketball hoop in the driveway.  And at least 9 days out of 10, there is a 12-year-old boy named Brennan underneath that hoop – doing a bunch of basketball things that I don’t know what to call and have no business speaking of.  

He is out there, by himself, at any time, on any day, during any season.  Dribbling, shooting, rebounding, dribbling, shooting, rebounding. Dribbling. Shooting. Rebounding. 

I learned from Brennan’s mom that he is on a competitive B-team and is diligently working to get to the A-team.  I have no doubt he’ll get there.  In fact, I’m sure of it.  Why?  Because he’s committed. 

One of my very favorite things to talk to my clients about is something Jody Moore put into words for me.  She says the difference between being interested in something and being committed to something is three little words: No Matter What. 

If you look up commitment in the dictionary you will find words like: assurance, guarantee, pledge, resolve, vow, firm decision, willingness, and promise. 

But the thing is, SO many times in our lives we really are just ‘interested’ in something.  Not committed.  

We’re interested in learning a language, interested in playing an instrument, interested in saving money, interested in getting healthy, interested in going back to school, interested in applying for that job, interested in working on that relationship with that one person, interested in doing that thing we’ve always wanted to do. 

But we’re not committed.  

And it’s totally ok to be interested – Really!  We for sure don’t need to beat ourselves up about it.  But we do need to tell ourselves the truth. 

Because “I’m committed” says we show up for ourselves and our goals. No. Matter. What. 

While interested says “I want to clean out the garage”,  committed says “I’m cleaning out the garage on Saturday. No matter what.”  

While interested says “I’d love to write more”, committed says “I will write 5 pages a week.  No matter what.”

And while interested says “I really miss having a book club”, committed says “By August 1st I will choose a book and invite 5 people to join me in reading it. No matter what.”

Committed gives assurances, guarantees, pledges, resolutions, vows.  It makes a decision.  It says I am willing to do this hard but super worth it thing no matter what – even when I don’t feel like it or even when it feels uncomfortable or scary.

Committed says “I promise.”  And means it. 

Every time I drive by Brennan’s house, his commitment to his goal inspires me to hold true to my own commitment to mine. No matter what. It also reminds me that it’s ok to just be interested in something.  (Like the garage!)

I can’t wait to hear about what you’re committing to!  

And, as always, if you’re stuck sorting out your interests and commitments, I’m here to help.