Commitment to one’s goals is, for me, the most important rule for success. Without it, we fall prey to procrastination, bad habits, laziness, rationalization and a host of goal-defeating problems.

Commitment is a strong word-much stronger than “agreement.” If I agree to meet you for a lunch, I have three options-keeping my agreement, cancelling, or changing it. If I commit myself to meeting you, I will meet you no matter what.

Commitments often require sacrifice in order to achieve a particular goal. If your goal is to be self-employed, you will probably have to sacrifice an active social life for awhile.

When you are committed to your goals, attaining them is easier. Your choices are clearer. If your goal is to become the top salesperson in the company, then the choice between going home when everyone else does or staying an extra hour and to make ten cold calls may not be easy, but you know what you have to do, and you do it. If your goal is to lose 15 pounds, your choice between having a carrot or a piece of carrot cake becomes clearer. When you are not committed to your goals, your choices become hazy.

Being committed means doing whatever it takes.

Being committed to our goals often isn’t easy, and it takes considerable time and effort. That’s why we make so few commitments and often have such trouble keeping them. Americans in general are impatient; we don’t like to stand on line or wait; we want what we want right now. If everyone in America were promised a million dollars, tax free, for meditating one hour every day, from 5-6 a.m. for two years, I believe a high percentage would never collect the money. “Too much trouble,” we’d say. That’s the trouble with commitment-it’s too much trouble.

Commitment requires strong self-discipline, and a persistent inner voice to urge us on. Like a soldier facing the enemy, we face our own inner enemies- “I’ll do it tomorrow,” “I can’t do it.” When we accept a commitment, it should be with “do or die” determination, otherwise it’s only a weak agreement. Real commitment takes courage, sacrifice, and perseverance.

In war, in sports, in life, those without commitment to victory and success often create their own defeat. If we could see the meaning of “do or die” as does a soldier in battle, we would be victorious more often.

When you are committed, anything is possible.