During my keynotes and retreats on college campuses, I talk a lot about commitment. I even have an audience member break an arrow with their neck [without using their hands] as a demonstration of being truly committed.
I recently took on a big commitment. I started P90X. It’s an extreme home fitness video series that’s a 90-day commitment. My commitment to the program is tested daily because the workouts are so extreme and I push myself to the limit every time. When you add to the mix raising two boys, being a husband, running a business with traveling and speaking… that’s when it gets really challenging.
The other week I was on the road facilitating a leadership conference at Sonoma State University in northern California. I spoke all day, went to dinner, took a hike in the beautiful red woods of John Muir forest and then drove to my hotel in San Francisco. By this time it was 10:00 p.m. and I still hadn’t done my P90X workout video. I could have called it a night, but I had made a commitment. So I moved some tables and chairs around, fired it up and got extreme. Half way through the program I received a call from the hotel manager who asked, “Is everything alright up there?” The occupants in the room below me were complaining and I couldn’t blame them since they were hearing someone jumping up and down while grunting for 35 minutes. And, truthfully, it was a little late.
So I had a choice to make. The easy way out was to shut it down and go to bed, but I asked myself, “How committed are you, Troy?”
My answer was “100 percent,” of course. So I took my computer outside to the parking lot [good thing for batteries] and finished my workout in a parking spot. Afterward I felt great! No regrets.
Your commitments will be tested. If you’re 100 percent committed your choice will be easy. Well, maybe not easy… but the choice will be obvious.
Troy
Troy Stende uses experiential learning-based leadership programs to help schools develop student leaders and increase student retention. He believes those two things are inseparable and has been helping colleges and universities create connections and strengthen campus community since 1998.
Twitter
Youtube
RSS
Email
Find College Speakers
This is a great post. Being committed in life and to life is difficult for some individuals and they don’t realize that their commitment level is what’s hindering their success.
Congratulations on finishing the workout. I heard that one is tough! Now, if I could just stay committed to working out, I would have weight maintenance success!
Audiences definitely sense if a speaker is committed or not. If the speaker doesn’t seem committed, then audiences of any age find it much easier to ignore the speaker.
Thanks for this message Troy! I’m in the game too with a new work out regimine and I’ve committed to getting up extra early in the mornings to do the exercises. I call it my hour of power and it also includes meditations and focusing on positive self talk around my goals. I know that if I don’t do it early, the day begins and crowds out that much needed time for myself. And like you, I feel so much better when I’m done!
The biggest hurdle is the first 30 days. After that, it gets easier and easier, and that’s with any new habit.
This conversation is really about “habits” in addition to commitment, isn’t it? Once we break through the old patterns in our body and minds and establish the new ones that serve us and that we desire, our lives change immensely for the better. Thanks for this post! And I can hardly wait to see your before and after pictures with the P90X. You did take “before” pictures, didn’t you? Come on Troy! We want to see the benefit of your hard work and commitment!