Keith JonesDecember 14, 2015

My best friend Tim and I often talk about what it means to be committed versus interested. When you’re committed, you take action 100% of the time. Whereas, being interested means you may or may not take action depending on how you feel or what’s occurring in your life.

Below are three key distinctions between being committed and interested.
1. Being committed begins with a declaration to yourself or others about what you want to achieve. And it’s followed up with action 100% of the time. Interested in a goal typically begins with a statement to yourself and is rarely accompanied by consistent effort to achieve the goal.
2. People who are committed, work toward the stated objective whether someone is watching or not. Interested people do not.
3. When you’re committed you find a way to do what you said you were going to do no matter how challenging it may be. When you’re interested, you find an excuse.

Here are 3 examples of a committed mindset and an interested one regarding the same subjects:
Example: Exercise
The committed person: No matter what time I get to bed, I am working out tomorrow. And if it rains, I will workout indoors. If I have to miss the workout, I will make it up.
The interested person: I’m not going to set an alarm for tomorrow morning’s workout. I will see how I feel when I wake up.

Example: Nutrition
The committed person: My lunch is packed for the day because I can’t be sure there will be healthy options on the menu.
The interested person: I am sure I can find something healthy on the menu. If not, I will make the best choice of what’s there.

Example: How one treats themselves and others.
The committed person: I own the mistakes I’ve made. I commit to being better. I demonstrate grace by forgiving myself. And I don’t judge those who say negative things about me. Instead, I send them love.
The interested person: I can’t understand how someone could do those things. It’s unforgivable. I would never do that. They deserve any misfortune that comes their way.

At varying times in my life, I have been committed or interested in the things that mattered most to me. When it came to my physical health, I have produced excellent results because I am committed. In my efforts to realize my purpose to make a difference in the world, I have illustrated commitment there, too. However, when it’s come to integrity in my relationships with a significant other, I’ve fallen short. My actions demonstrated that I’ve been merely “interested” in being a great partner. Learning from my failures in this area, I have taken responsibility for my past and am now committed to being honorable in my relationships.

Take an honest look at your life. What areas do you profess you’re committed to but your effort and results suggest otherwise? Don’t beat yourself up about it. Nothing good comes from that. Instead, make a declaration that you will be 100% with exercise, nutrition and positive self-talk. And when it comes to others, be a loving partner, an empathetic and nonjudgmental friend and a loving, gracious human being.

Keith