Commitment with consequences

We all have things we'd like to achieve or solve or aspire to. And to get there, hard work and often risk and sacrifice are required.

At the heart of it...we'd rather have the magic pill or the silver bullet. 

If there was a magic pill for successful self-employment...or in reality...success with any goal, dream, desire or solution you have, I believe it to be this:

Commitment with consequences

When there is a very painful or incredibly desirable and tangible consequence on the line, things happen and happen fast. It shortcuts all the issues that normally deter us...like procrastination, fear, lack of discipline and faith...everything. A fear of water is instantaneously overcome when your child is drowning.

When it's not dire, we generally quit before we realize the desired goal. That's human nature and reality.

So if you truly have something you'd like to achieve...create a consequence. If you don't, you'll likely quit.

Examples?

First, I'll tell you that this is not just some random strategy...it's the primary strategy I use on myself. I live and die by it. My mantra is "Aim, Fire...Ready?!" I constantly commit to things where there is no plan B and quitting will hurt me or others to a degree that I can't live with. Without this strategy I would still be the penniless dreamer that my wife married almost 17 years ago (and God bless her for having faith and sticking with me till I finally delivered).

Would you like a body that looks good in a bathing suit? Then plan a trip to the beach with friends who are in good shape...who you'd be morbidly embarrassed to have see you in a bathing suit of any type looking like you do now. Do it for late fall, 2010. Now. Go buy airline tickets and book the hotel. Everything else will fall in to place...the gym membership, personal trainer, putting down that godforsaken twinkie...

Want to get out of debt? Get with an accountability partner and together go through every expenditure you make per month and list out all the non necessities like eating out, cable TV, clothing purchases, movies, Starbucks, etc... Take that amount, let's say it's $300, and go to your pastor or a person in need or a humanitarian organization and commit that amount to them for the next 3 months. Make sure some expenditure or new investment on their part is made and contingent upon your $300. Now you can't back out. After 3 months you'll realize you don't need all those non necessities and you can now put that $300 per month towards debt till it's gone.

Want to be successfully self-employed or if you are self-employed, want to increase your business?

For the former (not yet self-employed) I wish I could say "Quit your job." But that won't work, as being in survival mode is not a good recipe success. But commit to a step. Make an investment that costs you something. We have 15 people traveling out here to Colorado this week to attend our "Idea Discovery Camp." They paid $1,200 for registration, plus lodging, plus airfare. Probably close to $2k a piece. With such a big investment, most can't afford not to see this thing through. And before you think it is just folks who can easily afford this...they include TWO single mothers.

For those of you who are self-employed and want/need to grow, you need to commit to some events that will hold your feet to the fire. Announce a live show or event to your audience that you will then have to fulfill. Host a networking event. Start an ad campaign.

The point, commit to something so that the consequence of quitting is too painful.

What is a way you can create a consequence that will ensure you become self-employed?

P.S. Membership with us in FreeAgentAcademy is one of the best options I know of. A small investment (only $10 to see what we are about) that gives you immediate attention, wise counsel and accountability. You can view membership options and benefits on the JOIN page here. We've graciously welcomed in 21 new members in the last 13 days alone.

Comments

[Mark F. Clifton]

Present commitments include at least one more year of teaching and coaching cross country, while serving one year as the Chairman of the board of a non-profit 475 miles away. This with a son deployed to the Middle East with a wife and 4 children 10 hours away in the opposite direction. And a retirement business to plan and get rolling, if I can figure out the website stuff that I have never seen. The only npart that I am having trouble with is the UNKNOWN part websites and how to structure one just has kept me at bay. Someone please give me some guidance in how to proceed. Thanks

[Mark F. Clifton]

Forgot to mention losing 80 to 100 pounds. Mark

[Kevin Miller]

Mark - websites arent too hard...its whats on the website and how
its presented that is they key. What is your idea? We just had a new
member sign up who is a past cross country coach and is pursuing being a
running coach at large!

[Alison B.]

This really speaks to me. I've been living my life by a different strategy: hedging. Hedging is an excellent strategy to maintain the status quo. You will rarely fail, but you will not be wildly successful either. Reflecting on this post, I'm not sure I've every really willingly committed to anything. I'm more of a see-how-this-goes-first kind of person. Okay, well at least I see a change I need to make now.

[Jeff]

I think another way of saying this it "burn the boats." i can't remember who said it but something like the surest way to victory is to eliminate all means of retreat. Several historical figures in war have reportedly burned there own ships to motivate their men during battles. With no means of escape they fought through tough odds to win.

[Kevin Miller]

Jeff - Oh man...burn the boats would have been a catchier title than I
used. Darn. And thanks.

[Kevin Miller]

Alison - hey, its human nature. But this is why you are with us in
FreeAgentAcademy now! Well help motivate, encourage and equip you. It
involves risk, which isnt safe. But there is a huge difference between
careless risk (my history) and calculated risk (my present and future!).

[Mark]

WOW put him in touch with me, I'd like to pick his brain!