It’s not a decision, it’s a commitment

My youngest has been out of college for about two years and after a few false starts he found a good fit. Still, he’s working on those early patterns we build as adults – schedules, fitting in social activities around work, etc.

He called the other day and said, “I don’t know how you and Dad find time to work out. I tell myself I’ll take a run after work, or go to the gym, but by the time I’m on my way home, I’m exhausted!”

My husband and I have been dedicated to fitness for nearly our entire adult lives. My sons would watch in the evening as I’d prepare my gym bag for the next day (see my “Don’t pack in the dark” message from last week!), and I’d slip into their room to kiss them before the sun came up in the morning so I could get a run or a swim in before my work day began.

But, his question made me think, “How did we do that?” After all, we were a two-career family and I travelled a lot for business. There were plenty of days when getting into work early to knock a few things off my to-do list would have made more sense than going to the gym, or days when I was tired, or not feeling great.

The key was that the decision was already made, it was a commitment. There was no “re-thinking” it every day depending on how I felt.

I didn’t reconsider my decision the next morning because I didn’t feel like going. I often didn’t feel like going – I went anyway.

And this concept can apply to all areas of your life, including a job search. When I think about the clients who have successfully transitioned to new jobs and new careers, they are the clients who make the decision, period. They don’t revisit it when it gets tough, which it will. They’ve decided what they want and they make the commitment to get there.

When you know it’s the right thing to do, and you make the commitment, you don’t need to reconsider, because the decision is already made.

How could you apply that concept to your career? What are you waiting for?

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