One thing I’ve discovered is that after I’ve decided and committed to do something, it’s so much easier to accomplish. All the guess work is taken out, and instead of wasting time thinking “should I or shouldn’t I do this?” the brain power goes to figuring out the best way to get it done.

For instance: Near the end of last year I decided to eat extremely healthily (aka paleo) for 100 days. And I did. There were times that it was hard, but I never once thought of giving up. From the time my 100 days were up (April-something), until when I went to North Dakota in June, I was on and off paleo, but did kinda okay with it. Then when I was in North Dakota I went totally off of it. When I got back to Ohio (not home), went off of grains and sugar, but still wasn’t that healthy. Then at the beginning of this month I wasn’t feeling well and knew it had a lot to do with what I was eating. So, I made the choice one morning after an embarrassing walk/run to be paleo until October 16th. Since then I’ve been paleo without any problem, hardly even craving non-paleo foods.

Another example: One of my 24 before 24 challenges is to write 1,000 words every day (except Sundays) for 24 days in a row. I made several half-hearted attempts to start the 24 days, but it wasn’t until I sat down and prepared and worked on a plot and committed to it that I actually really started. I’m several days into the challenge now and have throughly enjoyed writing each evening.

When I really want to get something done, the best way to see it through is for me to write goals, map out a plan, and then stick to it. Yes, there are reasons to sometimes abandon plans, but measly things like feelings shouldn’t factor into the equation.

Currently I’m training to run a marathon. Knowing this helps me get to bed earlier. It helps me wake up earlier. It helps me eat healthily. It helps me to keep running ten more seconds when I feel like slowing down to a walk. It helps me walk at a faster pace until I can start running again. It makes “one more mile” a reality instead of a wish. I’ve committed to a marathon, so training isn’t something I allow myself to choose any more, instead it’s a part of my day.

When I had a date set for when I wanted to be finished with the 15th draft of WLHYL, I worked on the book many days when I didn’t feel like it. I pushed through, and figured out problems that I’d been putting off. I made changes that I’d had niggling in the back of my brain for several drafts. There were times when I wanted to throw up my hands and set the book aside for another few months (or years…or decades), but instead I kept going.

We all have plans, goals, dreams, or tasks that we need to complete. Knowing how much it helps me when I commit to something helps me be wise with when and how often I choose to commit. What are some things y’all have committed to doing recently?