committment Archives - Mandy Schumaker

One of the most frequent questions I get from clients and prospective clients is, “How do you get everything done on your to-do list?” It’s a challenge, for all of us, there’s no question about it.

I recently came across some really interesting statistics from the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) about the probability of completing a goal:

You hear an idea (10%)
You consciously decide to adopt it (25%)
You decide when you will do it (40%)
You plan how you will do it (50%)
You commit to someone else you will do it (65%)
You have specific accountability appointments with the person(s) committed-95%

These statistics are tremendous evidence of the power of purposeful decision making, planning, commitment and accountability. Most entrepreneurs get stuck at planning how they will achieve their goals. But as you can see, planning is not enough.

However, accountability programs, like engaging a daily accountability partner will DOUBLE your success rate.

Over the years, I have had one, sometimes two accountability partners. We commit to connect by phone for no more than 5-10 minutes a day to share with each other what we intend to get done that day. I can attest that it does work, and really helps keep you continuously accountable.

So if you’re someone who gets derailed from your to-do list, or can’t seem to complete the goals you’ve set for yourself and your business, I strongly urge you to find an accountability partner and give it a try.

It is important to find the right partner, someone who will hold you accountable, ask the tough questions and not let you get away with excuses.

Imagine what your business and life will be like when you consistently set and achieve 95% of your boldest goals!

Mandy works with talented, high energy self employed professionals and very small businesses who struggle to market their business effectively, stretch their capacity and play a bigger game. Mandy’s client’s receive proven, specific information on what they need to do to get more clients and grow their business. As a result, those who coach with Mandy increase their business, get more clients and make more money, faster and easier than they ever would have on their own. Sign up for her free Cd “7 Productivity Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurs” right down below.

I recently heard a wonderful quote from John Asseraf: “If you’re interested, you’ll do what is convenient-if you’re committed you’ll do whatever it takes.” This quote really spoke to me. Many years ago, I struggled a long time as to whether I should have my own coaching business, but I always had a lot of excuses as to why I couldn’t or shouldn’t. It was fear talking. Then when I finally started my business seven years ago, looking back, it was clearly from an “interested” place. “Oh,” I’d say, “if this doesn’t work out, I can always go back to a corporate job”. Or I’d leave the backdoor open by always perusing the help wanted ads, or when someone called me with a potential position, I’d be so excited about the possibility and rush to send in my resume.

It was clear I wasn’t really committed. I hadn’t shut the back door and said to myself, “this is it, you need to do whatever it takes to make this thing work”. And it wasn’t until I got that mindset, and it took several years-that it finally did start working. I started getting referrals, more speaking engagements; my marketing became more in alignment with my niche.

Where are you in your business? So here are some things to think about:

What’s stopping you from doing whatever it takes? What is preventing you from “shutting” your back door and having a “do or die” approach to whatever it is you want to achieve? Whether it’s a promotion, starting your own business, changing jobs, careers-what is stopping you from totally committing to that vision? I found it was really important to answer this question. Identify the things that were blocking me. For me, it was fear of failing, and a need for approval from others close to me of what I was doing and creating. Once I realized, unless I was fully committed to my coaching and consulting business, I would indeed fail and that by not becoming fully committed, I would cause disapproval from loved ones around me. Only then was I able to start doing whatever it takes. Really take some time to answer this question for yourself, it’s so important.

How do you stay strong to what you believe in? This question reminds me of the Mary Oliver poem, The Journey:

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do.

You already know what you need to do to stay committed to your vision, but do you love yourself enough to allow it to happen?

Get the support you need. One of the best pieces of advice I received when I was struggling to decide should I keep working on building my business, or go “get a job”, was “don’t go it alone”. Find the support you need to stay true to your course. It is not always easy to follow our vision, or destiny, and it’s certainly not always supported by some of those closest to us. So it’s important to find someone – a friend, a mentor or coach to help hold that vision for us, through bleak days, long days and even the darkest of days.

Remember, when you find the destiny you were born for, all you need to bring is your honor, your courage and your commitment.

How to Double Your Success Rate

Are You Committed, Or Just Interested?

Sign up for updates

committment

Footer

Sign up for updates