This week’s question from our portal “Ask Us Anything” comes from Bill.
You keep saying that we need to make a decision and stay in it. But what about when circumstances change? What about when new information comes in that suggests I should change course? How do I know when I’m being stubborn versus when I’m being committed to my decision?
There’s a big difference between changing your goal and adjusting your approach.
When I say stay in the decision, I’m talking about the goal itself. The what. Once you decide what you want, you don’t change that just because it gets hard or scary or takes longer than you thought.
But how you get there? That can absolutely change. You can adjust your strategy. You can pivot your approach. You can try different methods.
Commitment to the goal doesn’t mean rigidity in the path.
Here’s how you know the difference: are you changing course because you got new information that suggests a better path? Or are you changing course because you’re scared and you’re looking for a reason to quit?
Be honest with yourself. If it’s new information that serves the goal, adjust. If it’s fear disguised as logic, stay the course.
Most people change their goals way too often and their strategies not often enough. They should be doing the opposite.
Lock in on the goal. Be flexible on the method.
And here’s another thing: when you’re truly committed to a goal, you’ll find a way to make it work regardless of circumstances. Committed people don’t make excuses based on circumstances. They adjust and keep moving.
Interested people make excuses. Committed people make progress.
So ask yourself: am I committed or just interested? Because if you’re just interested, you’ll quit the second it gets uncomfortable. And you’ll use “changing circumstances” as the reason why.
But if you’re committed, you’ll figure it out. You always do.
