Curious about Commitment: What Does It Mean to You? What Are You Committed To? How Much?

Definition of Commitment: The act of committing, or putting in charge, keeping, or trust; consignment. The act of referring or intrusting to a committee for consideration and report; as, the commitment of a petition or a bill. The act of pledging or engaging; the act of exposing, endangering, or compromising; also, the state of being pledged or engaged.

“The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.” - Tony Robbins, American author

“My commitment is my commitment.” - Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Spanish statesman

I will ask again. “What is your commitment and how committed are you?” I feel fortunate to live in Cleveland, Ohio, and to be working in the fitness and health field. Why? Because our own Cleveland Clinic is sponsoring a program called “Go-Fit.” This is their commitment to helping residents get healthy and fit.

Participants get 90 days of interactive membership at their local YMCA. The goal is to help them realize and enjoy the benefits of working out – and, in my opinion, hook them into exercise for life. They must be committed enough to come to the club three times a week, have a weekly assessment, and undergo a more comprehensive assessment at the end of each month.

So many signed up, waiting lists were created for spaces left by those who were not committed enough to stick with the 90 day procedures. The good news is that many on the waiting list are now starting. But, the bad news is that so many were not committed enough to stick with the program. It does make me sad.

Yes, I know that it is hard work. Muscles can hurt and ache the next few days. You are tempted to stay home and rest.

Don’t! No matter what you are committed to – especially a challenging goal, for example – stick with it. You will be so glad you did. And, your self confidence will soar.

I found a plethora of commitment quotations, so here goes:

• “You need to make a commitment, and once you make it, then life will give you some answers.” - Les Brown, American businessman
• “The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed.” - Martina Navratilova, American athlete
• “Through this additional support, we must renew our commitment to provide talented young people with the opportunity to build scientific careers based on their curiosity, the same opportunity that was provided to me when I began my work.” - Kenneth G. Wilson, American scientist
• “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” - Zig Ziglar, American author
• “It was not until I had graduated from college that I made a professional commitment to it. Frankly, I didn't think it wise. I was my own interior parental force, and it's very difficult to justify a profession as a dancer.” - Twyla Tharp, American dancer
• “Growing up on a dairy farm, you certainly learn discipline and a commitment to purpose.” - Mike Johanns, American politician
• “Hardcover books are fairly expensive these days and to read one requires a significant commitment of time in our busy society. So I want to make sure that when readers buy one of my books they get something they're familiar with.” - Jeffery Deaver, American writer

And a couple more to add some spice to the article:

“The capacity to combine commitment with skepticism is essential to democracy.” - Mary Catherine Bateson, American scientist

“Journey with me to a true commitment to our environment. Journey with me to the serenity of leaving to our children a planet in equilibrium.” - Paul Tsongas, American politician

I ask again. What are you committed to? Make a list. If you are at all like I am You will be surprised how long it is.

Curious about Initiative: Do You Have It and Take It? John C. Maxwell Lists Initiative as One of the Qualities of a Leader

Definition of Initiative: Serving to initiate; inceptive; initiatory; introductory; preliminary. An introductory step or movement; an act which originates or begins. The right or power to introduce a new measure or course of action, as in legislation; as, the initiative in respect to revenue bills is in the House of Representatives.

“Success comes from taking the initiative and following up... persisting... eloquently expressing the depth of your love. What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?” - Tony Robbins, American author

I am close to finishing the excellent book, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader: Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow, by John C. Maxwell. One of the chapters addresses the importance of initiative – never leaving home without it. I started thinking about the courage that is necessary in most instances of taking initiative.

Maybe you serve on a Board, are thinking of starting your own business, considering returning to school for an advanced degree, writing a book, running for a community office – all of which take initiative. I know because I have tried all and even more. In some instances, I moved fast. In others I actually procrastinated. Why? And why don’t we take the initiative when we have the desire?

I feel that it is fear that is holding us back. We don’t want to fail or be criticized or told, “You can’t do that. Who do you think you are, anyway?” Yes, there will be hard times and obstacles along the way. But I urge you to keep on keeping on. Read Tony Robbins' quotation again and the other quotations I am about to include below.

Pick your favorite or favorites:

• “The four cornerstones of character on which the structure of this nation was built are: Initiative, Imagination, Individuality and Independence.” - Eddie Rickenbacker, American aviator
• “The important thing is to concentrate upon what you can do - by yourself, upon your own initiative.” - Harry Browne, American writer
• “When you believe in what you're doing and use your imagination and initiative, you can make a difference.” - Samuel Dash, American lawyer
• “Genius is initiative on fire.” - Holbrook Jackson, English writer
• “I've always had confidence. It came because I have lots of initiative. I wanted to make something of myself.” - Eddie Murphy, American comedian
• “Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.” - Victor Hugo, French writer
• “It takes more than capital to swing business. You've got to have the A. I. D. degree to get by - Advertising, Initiative, and Dynamics.” - Isaac Asimov, American scientist

A couple more to chew upon:

“Organization can never be a substitute for initiative and for judgment.” - Louis D. Brandeis, American judge

“Time is neutral and does not change things. With courage and initiative, leaders change things.” - Jesse Jackson, American activist

When and how have you used your initiative? Send me the story. I would love to read about it.

Curious about the Brain and Brainpower: What Are You Doing to Keep It Active and Young?

“An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied.” - Arnold H. Glasow, American humorist

“Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power.” - Barbara Jordan, American lawyer

I am fascinated with the brain and our brainpower. How about you?

There was a time when people were talking about the death of brain cells. And, even using that myth to explain why – as we mature – we start forgetting. Yes, forgetting facts, names, where we left our keys, why we went to a certain room, and, for me, forgetting the perfect word to use while speaking, teaching, or telling a story.

Well, the great news is that there is presently a lot of interest in our brains. From the article, Boost Your Brain Health, in the current issue of AARP’s magazine, “Studies show that diverse, mentally stimulating tasks result in more brain cells, and a greater ability to bypass age: or disease–related trouble spots in the brain. The more you work your mind, the greater your cognitive reserve . . . thus the greater your ability to withstand the inevitable challenges of aging.”

As I read on in the article, I was thrilled to find that the habits suggested to maximize brain health are the same habits I have been suggesting to my senior students all along: walk and talk; vary your routine; get smart; play; de-stress; sleep; imagine; party; eat right; and watch your numbers.

The quotations I found were wide and varied – and not scientific and/or technical – but also helpful for attitude and activities of daily living (ADL):

• “It is good to rub and polish our brain against that of others.” - Michel de Montaigne, French philosopher
• “Money is the last enemy that shall never be subdued. While there is flesh there is money or the want of money, but money is always on the brain so long as there is a brain in reasonable order.” - Samuel Butler, British poet
• “A strange thing is memory, and hope; one looks backward, and the other forward; one is of today, the other of tomorrow. Memory is history recorded in our brain, memory is a painter, it paints pictures of the past and of the day.” - Grandma Moses, American artist
• “The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon. You can always do it better, find the exact word, the apt phrase, the leaping simile.” - Robert Cormier, American author
• “Genetics is crude, but neuroscience goes directly to work on the brain, and the mind follows.” - Leon Kass, American educator
• “If only we could pull out our brain and use only our eyes.” - Pablo Picasso, Spanish artist

And, some more for fun and interest:

• "You have to have conviction and completely question everything and anything you do. No matter how much you study, no matter how much you know, the side of your brain that has the smarts won't necessarily help you in making art.” - Maya Lin, American architect
• “I think that cognitive scientists would support the view that our visual system does not directly represent what is out there in the world and that our brain constructs a lot of the imagery that we believe we are seeing.” - Galen Rowell, American photographer
• “We are not interested in the fact that the brain has the consistency of cold porridge.” - Alan Turing, British mathematician
• “I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities.” - Theodor Geisel, American writer
• “My own brain is to me the most unaccountable of machinery - always buzzing, humming, soaring roaring diving, and then buried in mud. And why? What's this passion for?” - Virginia Woolf, British author
• “I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything.” - Nikola Tesla, American inventor

So, how is your brain faring? I am so excited to be living in a time period where brain aging is but a memory of the past. Keep exercising, learning, playing, and taking care of your health. And, let me know how you are doing.

Curious about the Core: It Has Many Meanings and Impacts Us In Many Different Ways

Definition of Core: heart or inner part of a thing, as of a column, wall, rope, of a boil, etc.; especially, the central part of fruit, containing the kernels or seeds; as, the core of an apple or quince. The center or inner part, as of an open space; as, the core of a square. The most important part of a thing; the essence; as, the core of a subject.

“The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.” - Max Lerner, American journalist

“Human beings crave freedom at their core.” - John Ensign, American politician

I chose the core as this week’s theme for several reasons. First of all, I mention our core in all of the group fitness classes I teach (12 a week). It is so important to our health, fitness level, alignment, and energy that we have a strong and lean core.

Next, I reviewed the excellent book by the Heath brothers, Made to Stick. Their first suggestion for making an idea or a story is to determine and state the core. Keep it simple and straight forward. Keep asking yourself, “What is the main idea? How can I simplify?”

The third reason is the strongest. Frank Kern is one of my favorite marketing gurus. He has always seemed to be the most real of the bunch. On Friday night I watched for close to two hours – without multi-tasking or straying from focus – his presentation of his program, “Core Influence.” It was incredible and, unlike so many other marketing guru programs, it did speak to my core and show how and why Kern is real. Note: Kern sometimes uses rough language and is a bit “off the wall” so be prepared.

As you can imagine, I found a good variety of wonderful core quotations:

• “My core beliefs revolve around the idea that we should live to the best of our abilities-we should live and let live.” - Enya, Irish musician
• “My athleticism was really the core to social acceptance, because in those days the overwhelming number of students came from more of a public school background than I did.” - Roger Bannister, British athlete
• “I'm fortunate in that I'm a lecturer too and this gets me out and about and away from the computer. I also have loads of friends all around the world, plus a core group of special people in my life that I can lean on, chat to, or just hang with.” - Paul Kane, English writer
• “If our core belief is based on what other people think, then we eventually will allow their opinions to become our reality.” - Darren L. Johnson, American author
• “If the Internet teaches us anything, it is that great value comes from leaving core resources in a commons, where they're free for people to build upon as they see fit.” -Lawrence Lessig, American educator
• “I admire the fact that the central core of Buddhist teaching involves mindfulness and loving kindness and compassion.” - Ron Reagan, American journalist

And two more that I especially love and relate to:

“For books are more than books, they are the life, the very heart and core of ages past, the reason why men lived and worked and died, the essence and quintessence of their lives.” -
Gene Fowler, American journalist

“Health is the core of human development.” - Gro Harlem Brundtland, Norwegian politician

How about you? How do you describe your core – values, beliefs, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and financial? I find that it is an ongoing project that I always need to stop and consider.