The 100% Rule of Commitment: The Key To Locking In Your Goals

When I was young and growing up with three older brothers, I quickly learned that if I made one of them mad, it would usually end with me running for my life. They would chase me around the house, trying to catch me and teach me a lesson for whatever misdeed I had committed. However, I always tried to be ahead of them, dashing around corners and diving under furniture to evade their grasp.

Eventually, I would make a break for my room and try to lock the door behind me. This was my last line of defense, and I knew that if I could just get that door shut and locked, I would be safe from whatever beating they would give me.

But it wasn’t always easy. Sometimes, I wouldn’t make it fast enough to my room to completely shut the door and if there was even the slightest crack, my brothers would be able to overpower me and break in.

It was frustrating, knowing that my safety and security depended on such a small detail even though the door was 99%?shut.?

One would think that being 99% of the way there on anything would be more than enough to achieve a desired result. When it comes to commitment, it is?not.

But each time that I was able to shut the door completely and lock it, there was no way that they could get in unless they were to break down the door which would get them into a lot of trouble with our parents. There was no way they would ever do that, so I knew I was safe.

According to Clayton Christensen, a Harvard Business School professor and author of several best-selling books, including “The Innovator’s Dilemma,” explained that when it comes to commitment, 100% is easier than 98%. When I first heard about this principle, I immediately thought of running from my brothers and how shutting the door 98% or even 99% of the way was never enough to keep them out, but shutting it 100% meant I would live another day and there was no way they were getting into my room.

Why is this important? Because the far majority, while they think they are 100% committed, are 99% or less committed, leaving the door open for?failure.

I call this the 100% Rule of Commitment.

The 100% Rule of Commitment is that 99% or below committed is not committed at all. Only 100% committed is real commitment.

So, what is the difference between 99% (or less) committed and 100% committed? First 99% committed means you will never get there. You will never become who you were born to become, you will never unlock your true potential, overcome every obstacle, and accomplish the impossible in your life.

Committing 100% on the flip side, means eliminating the option of failure and being so committed that you will never stop until you achieve the thing you desire. When we commit 100%, we make a clear and intentional choice to prioritize our goals and aspirations, and we eliminate any excuses or distractions that might prevent us from achieving them. Nothing or no one will stop the 100% committed person.

In contrast, when we leave ourselves an option to quit or give up, we are not fully committed. This 99% mentality can make it more difficult to achieve our goals, because we are not fully invested in them. We may find ourselves procrastinating, making excuses, or giving up too easily as a result.

So, why is 100% commitment easier than?99%?

Because committing 100% creates a sense of clarity and purpose that can help us overcome obstacles and achieve success. When we are fully committed to something, we know what we want, why we want it, and will uncover how to get it. This clarity of purpose can help us stay motivated, focused, and resilient, even in the face of adversity.

If you are saying words like, “I’m trying,” that is a sure sign that you are 99% or less committed.

A “99%” mentality can create confusion and indecision. We may not be sure what we want, or we may be easily swayed by external factors or distractions. This lack of clarity can make it difficult to stay motivated and focused and can lead us to give up too easily when faced with obstacles or challenges.

But there is an even bigger challenge. When you are 99% committed, you must make a conscious decision every day to keep your commitment. For example, let’s say in your mind you feel like you are consuming way too much sugar. You have a goal to be healthy and improve your energy levels, so you dig deep and find a why strong enough for you to finally quit.

If you are 99% committed to quitting sugar, you must make a decision every time you are faced with the prospect of eating sugar, which in today’s world, is all throughout the day. Do you want sugar with your coffee? Would you like dessert with your meal? Would you like a snack? Would you like a soda with your meal??

How about we go and get some ice cream? With each question, the 99% committed will have to make a decision each time whether or not they will keep that commitment.

This leads to decision fatigue. The term decision fatigue was first documented by the social psychologist, Roy F. Baumeister, to describe the mental and emotional strain resulting from the burden of making choices. This fatigue can lead to several negative consequences, which can ultimately impact an individual’s overall well-being and productivity.

One of the primary issues that arises from decision fatigue is the gradual depletion of an individual’s self-control and willpower.?

As a person continues to make decisions throughout the day, their ability to make sound judgments and resist temptations diminishes, which can result in impulsive behavior and poor decision-making. Furthermore, decision fatigue can contribute to a reduction in cognitive function and mental stamina, leaving individuals feeling overwhelmed and unable to focus on tasks that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

This can be particularly detrimental in business settings, where the ability to make effective decisions is crucial to success. Additionally, the stress and anxiety associated with decision-making can lead to negative emotional states and even enhance existing mental health issues.?

It was also discovered that people make worse decisions at the end of the day than they do at the beginning of the day because of this phenomenon.

Being 99% committed means that you have multiple decisions throughout the day to not consume sugar, leading to decision fatigue and eventually the breaking of your commitment.

It is easier to make one decision to commit than thousands of decisions to continually have to keep a commitment.

Being 100% committed means that you only need to make the decision one time and each time the temptation comes to break your commitment, you don’t have to make a decision, you’ve already decided.

You are locked in!

You are unwavering in your commitment! You will not break the commitment, ever!

By committing 100%, we can unlock our full potential and achieve greater success. When we are fully invested in our goals, we are more likely to take the necessary actions to achieve them, and we are more willing to put in the time and effort required to succeed.

But committing 100% to something doesn’t mean that we won’t face obstacles or challenges along the?way.?

In fact, it’s almost guaranteed that we will encounter setbacks and failures as we work towards our goals. However, when we are fully committed to something, we are better equipped to overcome these obstacles and challenges. We are more motivated, focused, and resilient, and we are more likely to stay on track even when things get tough.

In contrast, a 99% mentality can make it easy to give up when things get tough. When we are not fully invested in our commitment, we will not have the motivation or resilience to keep going when we encounter setbacks or failures. We may become easily discouraged or distracted, we may be more likely to give up or make excuses and we have to decide every day whether or not to keep the commitment.

So, why is committing 100% to something so important? According to Christensen, it’s because it can help us create a life that is meaningful, fulfilling, and successful. When we are fully committed to our goals and aspirations, we are more likely to achieve the things that matter most to us, whether that’s starting a successful business, pursuing a passion, or improving a relationship.

Committing 100% to something is easier than committing 99%.?

When we are fully invested, we create a mindset that is focused on success and eliminates the option of failure. We are more motivated, focused, and resilient, and we are more likely to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals. By committing 100% to our goals and aspirations, we can unlock our full potential and create a life that is meaningful, fulfilling, and successful.

So, if you want to achieve your goals and overcome obstacles, decide to commit 100% to them and see the amazing things you can achieve. In the next chapter, Burn The Boats, you will discover exactly how to do this.

If you are only 99% committed, you aren’t committed at?all.

The 100% Rule of Commitment is that you are only committed if you are 100% all in and remove any ties to things that will pull you back to your pre-commitment self. The rule also states that when 99% committed, you are really 0% committed and will never ultimately reach your goal.

There’s an undeniable magic that happens when you decide to fully commit to something, when you pour every ounce of your heart and soul into making it a?reality.

One person who epitomizes this transformative power of 100% commitment is Jamie Kern Lima, the founder of IT Cosmetics. Since the day I first heard her speak at a Tony Robbins event, she has been an inspiration to me and millions of others. When her first book, Believe It, was released, I read it four times! It was one of the most inspirational books I had ever read. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that when you go all in on your dreams, the impossible becomes possible. She is a true example of being 100% committed.

Jamie’s journey began as a television news anchor, where she faced a personal challenge that would ultimately lead her to her life’s purpose. Struggling with rosacea, a skin condition that caused redness and blotchiness on her face, Jamie found herself searching in vain for makeup that could effectively cover her imperfections without irritating her sensitive skin. But when her rosacea flared up one day, it led to an experience that would change the course of her life.

While on air, Jamie’s co-anchor pointed out that there was something on her face. Embarrassed and flustered, she realized that her makeup was no longer doing its job, and her red, blotchy skin was visible for all to see.

This moment was a wake-up call for Jamie. It revealed the inadequacy of the makeup products she had been using and made her recognize the need for cosmetics that could effectively cover imperfections without irritating sensitive skin. This realization ignited a passion within her to create a solution not only for herself but also for others who faced similar struggles.

In 2008, Jamie and her husband, Paulo, took the plunge and invested their entire savings into starting IT Cosmetics. They began developing products in their living room, guided by their vision of creating cosmetics that would truly make a difference in people’s lives. But as anyone who has ever pursued a dream knows, the road to success is always paved with obstacles and setbacks.

Despite her unwavering belief in her products, Jamie faced numerous rejections from the highly competitive cosmetics industry. The financial strain was mounting, and at times, she considered giving up. But in her heart, Jamie knew she had to go all in on her commitment. In one of her interviews, she shared her mindset during those difficult times:?

“I knew that if I was going to make a real impact, I couldn’t just dip my toe in the water. I had to jump in completely, even if it meant risking everything.” That’s 100% commitment!

As she continued to build IT Cosmetics, she faced financial struggles that pushed her to the brink of ruin. She was so close to bankruptcy that she and Paulo, even considered selling their home to keep the business afloat. Her passion project was consuming every ounce of their resources, and it was beginning to take a toll on their personal lives as well.

Throughout their journey, Jamie encountered countless rejections. She approached retailers, television networks, and investors, only to be met with a resounding “no” time and time again. Over the course of three years, she received more than a thousand rejections from various potential partners. It was a disheartening experience, but Jamie refused to let the negativity break her spirit. After all, she was 100% committed.

Instead of giving in to despair, Jamie doubled down on her commitment to her dream. She believed in her products and knew that they had the potential to make a difference in the lives of countless women. With unshakable determination, she continued to refine her products, improve her marketing strategies, and reach out to potential partners, undeterred by the mounting obstacles.

At one point, she secured the opportunity to meet with a prestigious venture capital (VC) firm, hoping to secure the financial support needed to scale her company. With high hopes and a clear vision, Jamie prepared to present her ideas and demonstrate the potential of her cosmetics line.

However, as she pitched her heart out to the investors, the president of the VC firm interrupted her. He told her that while he appreciated her passion, he didn’t believe women would buy cosmetics from someone who looked like her. The statement was a painful blow, an insult not only to Jamie but also to the countless women her products aimed to serve.

Despite the sting of rejection, Jamie refused to let this setback define her or her business. Instead, she used the hurtful words as fuel to propel her forward. She vowed to prove him wrong and demonstrate that women of all shapes, sizes, and skin conditions deserved representation in the beauty industry.

It was during this period of struggle that Jamie landed a crucial opportunity: a ten-minute slot on QVC. With only minutes to make her mark, she took to the stage and poured her heart into showcasing her products. The gamble paid off — IT Cosmetics sold out within the allotted time, and QVC invited her back for more appearances. This breakthrough moment marked a turning point for Jamie and her company, setting them on a path toward incredible success.

From that pivotal moment, IT Cosmetics experienced meteoric growth, becoming a leading cosmetics brand in the United States. In 2016, L’Oréal acquired the company for $1.2 billion, making Jamie the first female CEO of a L’Oréal brand in the company’s history.

Jamie Kern Lima’s story is a testament to the power of 100% commitment. By wholeheartedly dedicating herself to her vision, she not only built a thriving business but also changed the lives of millions who, like her, struggled with sensitive skin and a lack of suitable makeup options. As you embark on your own journey, remember Jamie’s inspiring words:?

“The moment you decide to go all in is the moment you unlock your limitless potential.”

No one continues the journey past 1,000 “no’s” without 100% commitment.

No one fails 10,000 times at creating a lightbulb and keeps trying without 100% commitment.

No one pushes their son in over 1,000 races without being 100% committed.

You will not become who you were born to be without being 100% committed.

Have you had enough? Are you ready to leave being the person that is 99% or less committed and rise to the person you can become? Are you finally ready to make a decision to be all in so that you can fulfill your destiny?

Then you must decide and commit first?today!

When I say decide, I mean “de-side.” The word decide is an interesting word. In contrast, the word incision means to cut into, but the word decide means to cut off.

In my speaking engagements, I like to change the spelling of the word decide to place more emphasis on what deciding really means.

I spell it this way: De-side.

Think of the meaning the same as you would with words like declutter, destress, or deflate. In the example of declutter, it means to completely get rid of all the clutter. In the word “de-side,” it means to remove or eliminate all sides and options that will lead to breaking your commitment and 100% commit to the actions that will lead you to what you truly want.

It means stop taking sides between your commitment and things that will keep you from your commitment. You cannot have one foot in and one foot out. It will never work. You will never get the results until you cut off all areas of retreat and take the side that will lead you to your commitment.

“De-Siding” is a powerful weapon to lock in the power of Commit First to create a clearer and smoother path to your ultimate dream outcome in?life.

100% committed doesn’t mean that you won’t want to quit when it gets hard, it doesn’t mean that you won’t, at times, take two steps back to move three steps forward. It does mean that even when you do have setbacks, you will never break your commitment, even if your path isn’t a straight line.

There is a concept in psychology called the point of no return. The principle of the point of no return refers to a critical moment in a decision-making process where a person has committed to a certain course of action and cannot easily turn back or change their mind. It is the moment when you finally face your fears and fully commit to what you want.

An example of this is a person that has invested significant resources, such as time, money, and effort, into their chosen course of action. They may also have made public commitments or taken actions that would make it difficult or embarrassing to reverse their decision.

Leaving a job to start a business is a point of no return. Breaking up a relationship is a point of no return. Investing money in yourself is a point of no?return.

The point of no return is a 100% commitment. It is exactly what I mean by “de-siding.” It is a powerful strategy that corners you into a situation where you cannot go back but can only go forward, 100% all in!

It means burning the?boats!

Dive deeper into the power of commitment by getting a free copy of my book Commit First at www.commitfirstbook.com