25 January 2011
Dear David,
Can you please explain the difference between intention and commitment? Sometimes I feel as if I really intend for something to happen but I don’t feel very committed to obtain it. How can I turn intention into commitment? Thank you,
Aimee
Dear Aimee,
I know what you mean by intending something but for whatever reason just not summoning the energy it takes to truly commit to attaining it. Commitment, I believe, is preceded by two things, first desire and then intention, in that order. Desire is the foundation upon which both intentions and commitments are built. When the desire for something is strong enough, we’ll find a way to get it, or at least make a valiant effort to get it. Our intention will be only as strong as our desire. Commitment comes naturally when the desire and intention are strong enough.
The biggest difference, however, between intention and commitment is action. Intention is the mental fortitude summoned when we know we can attain something. Commitment is the action we use to physically make it happen. Intention is a softer word, and can sometimes just mean that we will obtain the thing as long as circumstances break our way, we get help from the outside, or maybe we just plain luck into it. Commitment, on the other hand, is the very specific mindset that we take when we know we want to achieve this particular goal, and while commitment is stronger than intention, it also has the element of dire consequences should we fail. We let ourselves, or others, down when we don’t follow through on our commitments. When we simply intend to do something, it doesn’t have the same punitive consequences if we don’t complete the task. Desire and intention always precede commitment, and the level of commitment is determined by the levels of both of them. The strength of our intentions and commitments are only as strong as the foundation of desire under them. Each builds on the other, strong desire turns into strong intention, which then turns into strong commitment, which then gives rise to a higher level of action and a greater likelihood of success in attaining our goal.
The key to success is to first create a desire for what it is we want to define as success. Success is different for every person, and even different at different times or in different areas of life for the same person. Whether it’s better relationships, more money, more fulfillment for a career, you will need unshakeable desire for what you define as success in each of those areas. With that desire will come an intention to create the success, and then the commitment to take action to attain it. I hope that helps!
David W
