Are You Really Committed?
Commitment is the attribute that divides winners from losers, and keeps some people moving when others stop dead in their tracks. It is the characteristic that keeps successful people optimistic in the midst of crushing disappointments. It is the quality that allows champions to learn from their losses and move on. Commitment keeps victors energized when the newness wears off.
How do you recognize committed souls from others? Simple.
People who are committed keep their promises. They do what they say, long after the moment they said it in has passed.
People who are committed are in it for the long haul. They are willing to exchange short-term luxuries for a brighter future.
People who are committed have their eye on the finish line, but enjoy the ride there.
People who are committed demonstrate a minute-after-minute, day-after-day, month-after-month, and year-after-year attention to ensuring that “mundane” tasks are accomplished, because they know that excellence isn’t in the details, it is the details.
People who are committed don’t build walls, they learn how to surpass them.
Yet, while most businesspeople agree that commitment is an admirable trait, they may not know exactly what it means to put into action – especially as it relates to Internet marketing. If you don’t believe this, go online and take a look. You’ll find gobs of abandoned and/or poorly maintained websites and blogs all over the place. Then, consider how much time, energy, know-how, and money their owners wasted, because neglected websites and blogs do not generate income!
Unfortunately, this is and all-too-common fate for entrepreneurs – who by their very nature, are generally much more action-oriented than others. So, why do some many well-intentioned and intelligent small businesspeople lack the commitment needed to grow and maintain a profitable business? If you’re assuming that the answer to this question is that these folks lack solid work ethics, you couldn’t be more wrong. Rather, it’s usually just the opposite. That is, many entrepreneurs become paralyzed because they’re overworked, over committed, and overwhelmed!
For example:
They’re eager to take advantage of new opportunities, so say “yes” to more than they can handle.
They’re reluctant to delegate tasks to employees or outsource work because they’re convinced that their product or service quality will suffer – or it will cost them a fortune.
They grossly underestimated how much time and energy it would take them to run their businesses smoothly.
They fail to document key processes and systems, which makes it very difficult for them to train others to take over.
And the list goes on… Yet, even if you don’t identify with entrepreneurs who suffer from these, your plate is probably still full and you haven’t a clue where you’ll find the time to add more responsibilities to your burgeoning to-do lists. All of us have times when we want to shout, “Will somebody please help me?!”
That’s just the point. You can’t. And even if you think you can, you shouldn’t try. Yes, guerrillas accomplish many things using only their time, energy, and know-how, but they also know when and how to get help.
Are you a Guerrilla?
The preceding excerpt was from Guerrilla Marketing On The Internet by Jay Conrad Levinson, Mitch Meyerson and Mary Scarborough
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Mitch Meyerson









What an excellent post. Your points about quality, focusing on the detail and enjoying the journey are valuable concepts for us all to keep in mind. Whilst the need to document, train and trust others is equally important – we lose focus on that pursuit of excellence if we take too much on – as you rightly say!
Great Post! Love the reminder to continue looking in the mirror and driving forward. Commitment is defeinitely a seperater! Thanks.
I think by nature, we’re asked to be everything to everybody. If we’re spread thin, its assumed we still have time for small talk. When cashflow is tight, its assumed this wont effect our overall disposition like a salaried worker getting paid on time. when we develop a plan of action, its assumed the plan is water & air tight – no flaws.
so sure, sometimes we get a little disgusted – its only human.
at the same time, while other people are watching the NBA playoffs, we’re spending time reading to better our situations – like these blogs.
I couldn’t agree more about your take on commitment, Mitch. Those who endure will earn the price. And your list about the reasons for entrepreneurial failure is exact – I was there myself, until I learned. And you are one of my major influences. Thanks again for reminding.
Thanks Andre I appreciate your comment!