Who's Responsible?

The next time someone asks you for a commitment (will you complete the project by Friday?  Will you pick up Sonya from choir practice?)  and you say “yes I will”, ask yourself… who’s responsible for making sure you follow through?

Pay attention to your response:

• Does your answer include the phrase "as long as…"?
• Do you start attaching conditions?  “assuming I get what we need from ____, then I’ll do my part”
• Do you use language that leaves you an out?  “I should be able to…”
• Or do you say "yes I will, and it’s up to me"

The point of making a commitment is to increase the likelihood that you will complete the task. It’s to help you muster the courage, creativity or resilience needed to keep going when the going gets tough and obstacles arise.  Making a commitment is intended to help you, not burden you.

It’s tempting to share the responsibility with other people and things:  the weather, the economy, your co-worker, your lucky rabbit’s foot.

But do you realize the powerful forces you unleash? when you say unequivocally “yes I will, and I’ll do whatever’s necessary to make it happen.”