It Takes Commitment
As many of you know, Mimi teaches computer classes at Richland College to Seniors. She is very good at it. She was even honored with an Award of Excellence as Teacher of the Year in 2005/2006. When she first started teaching almost ten years ago, it was a real leap of faith. She had never taught before and she wasn’t sure she should be taking on a new career in her late fifties. But she made a commitment and did it. It was hard but she stuck with it. And she obtained success.
About the same time she received her award, one of her 90 year old students told her he could not attend any more classes due to health reasons. He asked if it would be possible to put her Lesson Plans on the Internet so he could continue to do them from home. The idea for Computer School for Seniors was born (http://www.cs4seniors.com/).
For the last three and a half years we have been committed to building an Internet Campus that encourages seniors to learn the joys and benefits they can find in their computers and on the Internet. It has been a rewarding learning experience. One of the most important things we have learned is the importance of commitment. Whether starting a new business…losing weight…dealing with a difficult child…learning something new…whatever your challenge, it is going to take commitment to succeed.
In his book Today Matters, John Maxwell explains what it takes to be committed to something.
Your Commitment Will beTested Every Day
I think many people see commitment as an event, something that is done in a moment. They say “I do” in a wedding ceremony. They shake hands to close a business deal. They buy a treadmill in order to exercise. But the commitment doesn’t end with that decision; it’s just getting started. And you better believe that any time you make a commitment to something, it will be tested.
That happens in any number of ways:
· Experiencing Failure: Perhaps the greatest challenge to commitment is failiure. You have to get through the failures. You’ve got to be able to pick yourself up and try, try again.
· Having to Stand Alone: When you want to accomplish something special, there will be people who will distract you, either intentionally or by accident. You will get a lot of opinions. Many of them will be in conflict with your goals. There will be times you need to stand alone.
· Facing Deep Disappointment: Let’s be honest, a lot of things can go wrong in life. When you get knocked down, how are you going to respond? How strong is your commitment? Remember, it’s the bounce that counts.
“Always bear in mind that your own resoulution to success is more important than any other thing.” - Abraham Lincoln
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