The 6 Key Components of Commitment
How do you define commitment?
What exactly does it mean to truly be committed to someone or something?
In today's age of entitlement and instant gratification, the critical concept of commitment is getting watered down in the minds of many athletes.
80% of coaches believe that today's athletes don't fully understand nor appreciate the importance of commitment. To combat this insidious assault on the importance and value of commitment, I have athletes define the concept of commitment and have them discuss the 6 Key Components of Making and Keeping a Serious Commitment listed below. I strongly encourage you to do the same.
Here's how we define commitment:
Commitment is a serious, long-term promise you make and keep with yourself and others to fully dedicate yourself to your task, training and/or team, even when, and especially when times are tough. Further, commitment means not only promising to do something, but much more importantly, actually investing the necessary effort and actions to make it happen.
The 6 Key Components of Commitment
Based on this definition, you’ll notice that there are six key components of making and keeping a Serious Commitment.
A Serious Commitment is a...
1. Solemn Promise
Instead of just being hollow words said casually in passing, a Serious Commitment is a solemn pledge you make and keep with yourself and others. You must understand the complete consequences of your commitment and fully mean it when you say it. When you make a commitment, others will take you seriously and rely on you to be true to your word.
“Our tradition calls for a commitment to accountability. This is not an assumption – this is a promise that I will be there for you; and I can count on you being there for me.”
Bob Ladouceur, De La Salle High School Football Coach
