Commitment Precedes Comparison

Commitment Precedes Comparison

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Inspired by a few gurus who were constantly publishing high-value videos on LinkedIn, I committed to start creating and publishing videos during the pandemic (2020). I committed to a specific Tuesday when I would publish my first video and shared that commitment with a few friends so I would not chicken out. I bought fancy camera gear, lighting equipment, and started watching video editing tutorials to prepare myself to become a video pro.

When that fateful Tuesday arrived, I had no idea what to say on the video...and I thought about quitting. I walked around my neighborhood for an hour in an attempt to generate an idea and then I spent two hours writing a script for a two-minute video...and I thought about quitting.

With the script finally done, I commenced to filming and I couldn't figure out how to turn on my fancy camera...and I thought about quitting.? I decided to just use my iPhone and my fancy lights were creating weird shadows on my face....and I thought about quitting.? Once I captured the terrible video on my iPhone, I struggled for three hours with the video editing software to prepare the two-minute video for publishing...and I thought about quitting.

Scared and embarrassed by the final video, I posted it to LInkedIn anyway.?

One of those LinkedIn gurus sent me an encouraging note about my video. I told him how frustrating the process was and how embarrassed I was by the video. He coached me, "Your first 99 videos will be terrible.? Hurry up and get them out of the way.? Don't compare yourself to others until Video #100."

What terrific advice!? I wanted to compare my videos to professionals when I was still an amateur. I wanted professional results when I had not yet demonstrated professional commitment. In hindsight, the magic of 99 repetitions is not about technical acumen or task efficiency. 99 repetitions requires the discipline and commitment of a professional. I had to learn how to fight through writers block, manage my time and energy, detach from results (likes/comments), and continuously improve my process. More important than learning video editing, I learned what is required to be a video professional.?

This applies to any area of your life where you compare yourself to others.?Professional results come from professional commitment. Without the professional commitment, you should expect amateur results.? Starting a new health and fitness program? Start comparing yourself after Workout #100. Want to start public speaking? Get on stage 99 times and then compare yourself to the pros after Speech #100.? Starting a new business?? Start comparing yourself to other entrepreneurs after Sales Pitch #100.

The minimum price to be a professional is 99 repetitions. Cut yourself some slack while you're grinding through those practice reps. Almost no one will follow through on the commitment to get to repetition #100. In the future, AI will replace the amateurs first. The future will always be bright for the professionals.

"Turning pro is free, but it's not easy. You don't need to take a course or buy a product. All you have to do is change your mind." - Stephen Pressfield, Turning Pro

This is my sixteenth newsletter article. This is the sixteenth time that I've hit "publish" when I did not feel that the article was ready to publish. I'm committed, though. I'm just getting in my practice reps. I promise that Edition #100 will be awesome!? :-)


If you enjoyed today’s High Impact Humans, please subscribe and share?. Your comments and your stories about impact that matters are the reason I write. Join the conversation in the comments below!

Marcie Sehlhorst

Marketing Operations Leader | Continuous Improvement | Budget Management

4 个月

This is so encouraging for whatever one is tackling - give yourself grace to get better and better with practice!

Anita J.

Uplifting humanity by putting people first, implementing efficient processes, and focusing on solutions that improve quality of life.

4 个月

An encouraging blog…So I only have 85 public engagement events to go! ?? Insightful & liberating concept!

Jason Schaaf

CRO @Cyolo | West Point Grad, Israeli Cyber Ecosystem Champion, Board Advisor

4 个月

Great stuff Billy Bob! I also think about quitting…. But I do it anyway ??

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