Commit and Recommit this New Year

Every year when January arrives, I think about the power of commitment and recommitment. New Year's often feels like the perfect chance to refresh, renew and recommit, and Human Resources leadership roles often require this as well. Our presence as leaders (physical and mental), our engagement, connection and commitment to those we lead and support in our organizations really do matter. We inspire purpose, people, processes, organizational growth and change and I cannot think of a more invaluable and needed role in today's challenging and evolving world.

Commit to What Matters to You

We are all aware of the power of commitment. Think about the last time you committed yourself to something that was significant to you. Was it your family, your health, your job, or developing a new competency? Commitment can be energizing because you set your mind to something, focus your energy, and create meaningful results.

Too many people make a commitment, get the results they want, and then become complacent or back off of their commitment. When this happens, the results you created when you were committed mystically vanish into thin air leaving you wondering what went wrong, what happened, and why did it all come to a stop? 

The bottom line is that it is not enough to commit to something that is good for you in the moment or on a whim, but you must recommit every day. This daily recommitment makes those areas of your life that are important to you a part of the fabric of your life which leads to tremendous fulfillment and lasting results. 

Recommit Daily

Recommit. Recommit to spending quality time with your family, to the hobbies, passions, and activities that bring you joy. Recommit. Recommit to your job, nurturing your talents and abilities, building your skills and, as a leader, supporting and developing those around you.

Commitment is a one-time action. Recommitment, every time you are faced with a choice, is ongoing and is how meaningful lives are built. Recommitment requires thought and time and purposeful deliberation with self. Often, commitment and recommitment can be a struggle. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and CEO once said, “In our generation, the struggle of whether we connect more, whether we achieve our biggest opportunities, comes down to this — your ability to build communities and create a world where every single person has a sense of purpose."

Here’s to a Happy New Year!