William “Bud” Hart, of Haverhill, shares “Success Principles”—ideas for living a greater, better and more accomplished life, and building habits that stick. He also coaches clients to incorporate strategies for boosting their mental and physical performance during everyday living.
I had a conversation this week with a person nursing a nagging feeling that it is time for a new and completely different occupation. The problem is this person is having difficulty nailing down exactly what they are best suited to do for work and how they are going to find something that fits. It’s hard to commit to something if your finish line is just a fuzzy point off in the distance. My advice to anyone seeking change, before you can make any significant progress you need get exceptionally clear about what your ultimate outcome looks like.
Years ago, when I first started working on my own I found this quote by the Scottish Explorer W.H. (William Hutchison) Murray. It presented an amazing summary of the truth about commitment for me. Though a part of the quote is commonly cited and attributed to Goethe, the entire passage is taken from Murray’s book “The Scottish Himalayan Expedition.”
But when I said that nothing had been done I erred in one important matter. We had definitely committed ourselves and were halfway out of our ruts. We had put down our passage money–booked a sailing to Bombay. This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence. Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.
It has been my experience that these words of W.H. Murray are very true. When we commit 100 percent to achieving something, the universe gives us opportunities. In as much as we are open and ready to receive them they can be life changing.
It is true that it is hard to commit to something if your finish line is just a fuzzy point off in the distance. But I do know this if we are waiting for the stars to align in our favor, if we are waiting for that perfect moment to arrive it will never come. There will always be a new problem or something standing in our way before we can fully commit. And it is equally true when we commit ourselves to achieving something, when we give everything we have to what we want Providence moves.
William “Bud” Hart is a certified “Mindset” Coach, Accountability Partner and Business Consultant. Visit Hart Group, www.hartgroupma.com for more on coaching.