Are You Committed?

The level of commitment you possess and display as an athlete is directly related to your amount of success. All athletes like to think of themselves as committed, dedicated, and willing to do what it takes to succeed. The fact is, however, most athletes are not as committed as they would like to believe. In this article, is it your job to honestly assess whether you are truly showing commitment when it comes to your sport.

"Committed" athletes are willing to do whatever it takes to be successful despite the obstacles. They are dedicated to success above all else and are not deterred in the face of adversity. You may think this is you, but keep reading...Another type of athlete is the "committed until" athlete. They usually do not go to all lengths to be successful, especially where their ego is involved. These athletes show intense dedication, but back down when things do not go their way. They are committed "until" they do not getting the starting position; committed "until" they do not get the minutes they think they deserve; committed "until" one of their teammates calls them out; committed "until" their role on the team is not what they want. Get the picture?

Now that you know the difference, right now, are you a "committed" athlete or "committed until" athlete? It is critical to be honest. Without honesty you will not improve.

It is hard to be a "committed" athlete and we all fall short at times, but you can take the first step today to make the commitment to be committed. This is difficult in the same way that marriage is difficult - you pledge "commitment" no matter what you might face. Unfortunately, many marriages fail because individuals are "committed until" people - committed "until" the pain is too great; committed "until" their partner is not who they thought; committed "until" their partner does not make enough money; committed "until" their partner is not as neat as they want. The list of "untils" goes on and on. 

To be successful, make the commitment to be committed. End of story. To help you remember what commitment looks like, here is a breakdown of what to look for:

Committed Athlete

Dedicated at all costs

Commit to team mission

Commit even when ego bruised

Commit despite pain

Committed Until

Dedicated until not getting what they want

Committed to self over team

Commit only on their terms

Commit only when convenient

Play Smart, Play Hard, Play Well!