*radical* commitment

Commitment is about doing something you said you would do long after the inspiration is gone. In other words, doing what you said, whether you feel like it or not.

In Merriam-Webster, commitment is “an agreement or pledge to do something in the future.”

In other words, if you say you are going to lose 12 pounds, it is not something you can do right now, but over time, you can lose 12 pounds by the actions you will take.

Okay, so what is radical commitment? 

I’m not sure, but here’s a great video on radical commitment. It’s inspiring. It’s also intense. In fact, it’s a little insane. I recommend watching it.

For me, while inspiring and possibly helpful to some, it’s probably totally un-inspiring to many. The reason I say that is that most people don’t need to be radically committed. They simply need to honor the commitments they make. Simple ones, like:

• I will make 3 calls per day.
• I will add one person to my database per week.
• I will read one book per month.
• I will exercise 5 days per week, and exercise can be any activity where I move my body.
• I will only eat dessert and drink alcohol two days per week.

There are many other commitments you can make. Think of commitments as promises. Promises are declarations that one will do something specified or refrain from doing something. 

We’re going into week two of a 52-week year. Many people have made zero commitments this year. Instead, they have wishes. They have hopes. “I hope this year is better.” Sometimes they say it like, “This year has to be better.” 

Except, where is the commitment? Where are the promises? Where are the daily and weekly actions (commitments) that will actually make this year better?

Over the last eight weeks, I did many coaching calls for Business Planning - ie “success insurance.” On one of the calls, the realtor said to me, “I am going to make calls two hours per day, five days per week.”

“No, you won’t," I said.

He was offended at my remark and said, “Not true. I have done it before!”

“Right," I said, “but have you done it all year while selling the number of homes you said you wanted to sell?”

“Well, no.”

The reason I have a hard time with the radical commitment video is that the example that Karan gives, while incredibly inspiring, is not a sustainable example. To be fair, he invites people to come up with a “radical” commitment that is simple. 

My point to you, what (radical) commitment are you making for this year that will make a difference in your business (and life)?

I knocked on doors for sixteen years. My commitment was to do it five days/week. I took planned time off from the doors during the first two weeks of January, the first two weeks of July, Thanksgiving Week, and most of December. On average, I was out 120-150 days/year. Mostly closer to 120. Was I out every day I said I was going to be? No. 

Obviously, I’m a total loser.

On the other hand, I was out way more times than I wasn’t. I kept my commitment...enough. Also, on days when I didn’t go to the doors, I still fulfilled the primary action: talking to people! 

As your year begins to unfold, my recommendation would be: don’t strive for perfection, strive for progress. Yes, make a commitment! Yes, strive to hit it every time you said you would! The goal is to take ground from where you are right now. Sure, if you were “perfect” in honoring your commitment, you would experience an entirely new version of yourself. I am not discounting that! 

On the other hand, real estate - and life - is long (mostly, and there is no sense ‘planning’ for it to be short). What can you get behind for the long run?

“If you don’t know what you are committed to, look at what you got.”

Friendly reminder: You are going to end up with exactly the same year, plus or minus, if you don’t alter what you are committed to.