Monday, March 14, 2011

The Difference Between Commitment and Interest

I love stumbling upon articles in the paper about people who are changing their lives or are inspiring others in some way by the philosophy with which they live. They can be business people, teachers, office workers, stay at home moms or dads, whatever it is they've chosen to do they all have that special something that has driven them forward and continued to drive them forward towards success.

Today I read about a woman called Jen Hamel. She used to be a stay at home mom who one day saw a picture of herself from a family reunion and couldn't recognize herself. She'd gained weight. A lot of weight. She recalls "I saw those pictures and thought, 'Oh my gosh, where have I gone?" That moment drove her to exercise but not just any exercise it was something called Turbo Jam and from the moment she started that DVD exercise program she didn't quit. In a little over a year she lost 130 pounds and has kept it off. She's now a certified fitness trainer, nutritionist and owner of her own fitness company. What I really loved about this article are the following quotes outlining Jen's philosophy:

"There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results."

and

"When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life."

Truly, a philosophy that is inspirational.

I've met many writers who are definitely committed (and some of us should be committed! :)) because of the consistent/persistent belief that the only way forward is by getting that result whatever you decide that result is. Whether it's getting published, finding an agent, finishing the book, only commitment will get you that result. Lots of people start things but, like many dieters (and I'm one of those) if you only have a peripheral interest in losing that extra ten pounds no amount of calorie reduction is going to work for you. You have to do more, do it often, do it consistently and, most importantly, DO IT FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES AND THEN KEEP ON DOING IT.

Writing doesn't end when you've finished the first book. It doesn't end when you've got the agent and it certainly doesn't or shouldn't end when you've got a book contract.

So. Commitment or Interest. Which one do you have?

13 comments:

  1. Committed. Definitely. Great analogy. :)

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  2. Hi Laura: You absolutely are and we are going to party when you sell that book - and the next one, and the next... :)

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  3. Very true! Writing is definitely a commitment. For me, it was never just a hobby. It's something I do because I can't imagine not doing it. And the commitment never ends--unless you want your writing career to end.

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  4. Oh, definitely committed here. Or, as I like to call it, stubborn as a rock. ;)

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  5. Hi Kelly: That feeling of not being able to imagine not writing is key. It's part of your personality now - it has to be imbedded within you or the commitment will never stick.

    Hi Linda: You are a rock - and that is a great thing!

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  6. I love this distinction! And it's so true. If you treat writing like a hobby, it can certainly be satisfying, but the results won't be the same as they would be if you treat writing like a job.

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  7. Hi Anna: I totally agree - however there is one more distinction: it must be a job you LOVE. :)

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  8. What's the difference between committed and obsessed? :-) I'm one or the other or both!

    Love the quotes as well, though I was definitely feeling a wee bit guilty as I read while eating popcorn. :(

    Nice to meet you Nelsa, and your blog!

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  9. Hi SP! Thanks for finding me and I hope you visit often. And popcorn is a healthy snack :) (let's not talk about the butter). I think in any committed relationship there is, at some point, a bit of obsession. As long as we recognize when we're getting a bit overboard and can pull back and spend time doing other things (recharging the well) we can get back to the good kind of commitment! :)

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  10. Great post. I see myself as committed. I was unfazed after over a decade of rejection.

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  11. Hi Medeia: It's stories like yours - ten years of commitment and your book is coming out next month! - that inspire me. I know your commitment will see you through many more published books!

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  12. I love writing. It's the one thing, along with singing, that stirs a song inside my soul and drives me to keep at it. I think I'm committed. I WILL have people reading MY WORDS one day, SOON! :-)

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  13. Yay Cat!! That's what we all need to do - inspire ourselves with affirmative statements. I have no doubt that you will have people reading your words very soon!

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