If you made a New Year’s resolution, would it be to stop, start, or continue to do something? Would it be just a resolution or an idea, tied to a commitment?
I raise the question about commitment because, let’s face it, following through could be very challenging. There is a lot riding on making a resolution in the first place—more so in following through. It is like going all-in with a bet on yourself. By the way, being decisive about starting, stopping, or staying on a path need not be put on hold—anytime is a good time. Just start.
The real urgency of the moment is that we live and die in the present; in the Now.
“Live-along, being as you are and doing as you will.” — William Garcia
Without commitment, how likely is it that there will be any stopping, starting, or continuity of anything? If you are not ready to commit, you may as well go back to sleep.
If you are, here is a quick exercise: Stand in front of a full-body mirror. Look at your image from head to toe—from toe to head. Then look into your eyes and tell yourself, starting with your name: “I am irreversibly committed. There is no turning back.”
That’s it! Say no more. Of course, you can use your own affirmation. Achievement is reserved for those who are awake (mindfully) and committed to enduring the journey; a journey paved with hard work, intermittent wins, and temporary setbacks. The scale of emotions can range from optimism to frustration—from discouragement to, hopefully, a profound feeling of achievement.
To set upon your journey, however, you will also need a positive attitude—the belief that you can, and will, achieve your goal. Just as important, your first step into the mile toward your goal should be taken with an open and nimble mind. You may need to adapt and adjust along the way, and that’s OK.
Furthermore, I believe defining success as the pursuit of a worthy goal is a good idea. It illuminates your path. If you are “continuing” something, you may already be working with a definition, perhaps your own; and if you are satisfied with your progress, stay on your path. Who is to say any one definition is wrong or better than another? It’s personal. Still, here I share my definition with the hope that it provides a perspective for those who are now beginning their journey, and for those already on theirs who are open to such a perspective.
“Success is a series of emotional experiences lived while in the pursuit of a worthy goal. The achievement of that goal is the embodiment of your success.” — William Garcia
Having stopped (I am no longer a smoker), started (I’m actually losing weight), or continued (I am becoming a better me, living a better life)—these are what embodiments look like. Of course, besides yours, there are endless other profiles.
Now, are you ready to set out on your journey? Good. On your mark, get set, give it your best shot. Here is an inspirational device—a backronym—you may want to try: SUCCESS (Serious, Unstoppable, Committed, Confident, Enthusiasm, Smart, Satisfied).
S – Serious: The pursuit of a worthy goal should be treated as a serious endeavor.
U – Unstoppable: You should be passion-driven as you pursue your goal. Don’t beat yourself up if you encounter setbacks. Press on with anxious anticipation—not fear.
C – Committed: A high degree of commitment is required if you are to achieve your goal.
“Achieving many things in life is much easier than making the commitment to actually achieve them. Too often, a lack of commitment is the reason for failure. Commit to achieving something worthwhile and meaningful.” — William Garcia
In the words of the late Zig Ziglar, you must be the “bacon, not the “egg,” in a “bacon and egg” breakfast. In it, the chicken is merely involved, but the pig is committed. You see, the chicken can always lay another egg. But the pig gives its life so you can have bacon.
C – Confident: Confidence and positive expectation is what keeps us moving toward our goal. It is what gets us out of bed in the morning. It is what pulls us into the future with anxious anticipation.
Once you have made the first step into the mile toward your goal, you will always have less than a mile to go. Don’t stop now. — William Garcia
E – Enthusiasm: Of course, you will need to have the “get-up-and-go” to get to where you want to be. However, don’t expect anyone to share a drink in your vision of a successful journey toward your goal if your pop has no fizz. Fizz is the enthusiasm “gas” that exudes from the passion you are driven by, and it can be contagious. You will need that gas because you alone cannot achieve your goal; others will be involved. However, to get others involved, it will take enthusiasm to capture their imagination and get their trust to journey with you toward your goal; a goal only you can envision. Keep your emotional tank filled with enthusiasm gas.
S – Smart: Know what to do and what steps to take. Follow directions, research, seek advice, and figure things out.
S – Satisfied: You should be satisfied as you achieve your goal. You should also be satisfied if you have done all that was required and yet did not achieve your goal—it’s life. The Universe does not always conspire with us, and it may be why we don’t always get what we want, even having done all that was required or expected. Still, and this is very important, the time and the experiences lived will never be in vain. It is your life lived. It is one of the many episodes in it, and being qualified to say, “I gave it my best,” talks to the journey—your journey—and the series of emotional experiences lived. A worthwhile time of life lived.
Now, I realize that for some, this mindset may not be easily adaptable, and I understand. Having put all on the line and still failing could be overwhelming. For those, I offer this perspective:
“Failure as nothing more than a temporary experience. It is not a permanent condition or a terminal disease. Experience it and then let it go. Survive it and try again. Nothing scares away failure more than another Try. Nothing is more attractive to success than courage; the courage to try again.” — William Garcia