Commitment

Ever thought about what it takes to be successful in running? I bet your mind goes pretty quick to the things like "talent" or "ability". While those are part of the equation, I've been coaching long enough (started in 1989) to have seen plenty of talented runners who weren't very successful. Their ability didn't get them very far.

The reasons for those detours are numerous, but so often it's simply because they lacked commitment. To neglect commitment in running is to invite an early end to running. "Uncommitted runner" is an oxymoron.

The problem is that in our society, studies are showing that a lack of commitment is becoming the norm. It's now acceptable, cache. Just two years ago, more than half of people ages 20-24 had been at the current job for less than a year. Young Americans are marrying later in life than at any time in our history.

The obituary of commitment comes with the collateral damage to community. While we exalt a commitment to ourselves, narcissism (an obsession with what we think will make ourselves happy) stands in the way of developing a team, of nuturing the collective good. All of the foundations of a healthy society crumble with the religion of self-focus. Commitment is at the core of all human relations, and it is the essence of great teams.

So how does this apply to us? Well, it begs a question: How committed are you? What kind of determination have made to contribute in a committed way to the well being of this community we call King Cross Country?

More specifically:
How committed are you to your teammates?
How committed are you to improving?
How committed are you to serving others?
How committed are you to listening?
How committed are you to having a positive attitude?
How committed are you to us?

The irony in all this, is that our self-absorbed society has abandoned the principles of commitment in search of personal fufillment and happiness. Studies show that we are among the nations of the world, one of the least content, least happy?

Why? Because to gain more life, you have to give more of yourself away. Without a commitment to others, our individual lives are empty and barren.

I challenge you to die to yourself this season and find the life that comes from living for others. Start with a teammate, then two, then three.

If all of us do this, we'll have the most successful season we could possible have.