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Living a Better Life Keeping Commitments It happens to all of us. We make commitments to do a great job, continue our education, lose weight, exercise more, save money, make those home repairs that have been on the *To-Do* list for 6 months, spend more time with the family, get more rest, love and support our spouse forever… you name it! We start out with great intentions, we make the commitments, we make our plans, but then something happens. * * * Last month I turned 39, which is so close to 40 it might as well be! But to me, the best part about growing older is being able to understand life a little better. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Even just a few years ago I would have said the reason we can’t seem to keep our commitments is that we just don’t have enough willpower, we just give up too easily. But I’ve realized that we all have areas in our lives (hopefully), where we DO keep our commitments. And if this theory is true, it means we ALL have willpower. So what happens to throw us off-track? Life, for one thing. We’re busy, too busy. We get tired, emotional, stressed-out, unfocused. Not to mention that our comfortable lives with dishwashers, microwaves, cell phones and computers has spoiled us rotten. We think everything should be easy and instantaneously done. We don’t like having to work hard to keep those commitments, but often that’s what it takes. We also have so many commitments we can’t even keep track of them. Go ahead, take out a sheet of paper and write down how many commitments you are trying to keep right now. Of course the older you are and the larger your family is the longer your list will probably be, but I’m betting everyone has a list. Now the question is, which of those commitments are going to be the ones you keep? I can tell you. It’s the ones that are a priority. If your job is a priority, you will keep that commitment and be successful. You’ll give your full effort each day, approach your job with a good attitude, and always be on the lookout for ways to make yourself more valuable to your company. If your family is a priority you will spend more time with them. Let them know you love them, all the time. If you have children be sure to spend one-on-one time with each one every day. If you’re married, schedule dates every week even if it’s just quality alone time at home. If your money is a priority, you will do the work it takes to manage it well. Keep track of your finances by paying your bills on time, creating a budget, getting out of debt, and starting a savings or investment plan. And ditto for everything else on your list… if it’s a priority, just do it! The only things on your list that you will not be able to remain committed to are the areas that are not a priority for you. My column this month is a great example. In fact, the entire July issue shows my commitment to you, the subscribers and readers of BetterBudgeting.com. You see, my family has just been transferred out of state, from VA to NC, and I’ve got moving boxes under my feet even as I type this now. I put all of my other work on hold for the summer but with over 5,000 subscribers and 1,000 hits a day to this site, the show must go on even though it’s not convenient for me to be at work. This is what it takes for all commitments, at least the ones we truly mean to keep. One more thing for you to consider… don’t forget to list Spiritual Growth along with your other priorities. Personally, I don’t think I’d be able to keep any of my commitments without this one being right at the top. And I wish someone could tell me how to make giving up chocolate a priority. Somehow, I think that one is a lost cause!
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Copyright © 2003 by Michelle Jones Want more money-saving tips? Get a FREE subscription to our monthly Ezine!
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