Many of us want things to change in our lives. A better career, greater happiness, a higher level of fulfillment. But are we willing to make the commitment?
Life is filled with things we can either possess or achieve. Some of them are relatively simple. For example, we are fortunate to live in a world where food and water are relatively easy to find. However, more conceptual ideas such as self-actualization, or becoming great at what we do are harder.
It is an odd quirk of life that the things that give us the greatest level of fulfillment are those that take longer to achieve. Perhaps its because it is how our minds work – basic things we already have we take for granted. So instead, we value the things we rarely see. I believe it is also about the investment taken to achieve something great. If we could do something with little effort, even if it was relatively good, it would not mean much to us. Whereas the things we really made the effort to make a reality are often the proudest achievements for us.
Fortunately, there are many ways we can do something impactful that will require time and effort. We can become the best writer, project manager, singer, actor, sewer, mechanic or any other profession that we want. To do so however requires commitment.
I want to share a story about a man named Deuce Lutui. Deuce played in the National Football League in the US. Through a chance encounter, he met with a man named Steve Hardison, often referred to as The Ultimate Coach. Following an intense and in-depth two hour conversation, Steve asked Deuce who the best offensive linesman in the NFL was. Deuce did not respond. The lack of response was an answer in of itself. Steve asked Deuce to switch places and to reverse the roles – that Deuce would be Steve and Steve would be Deuce. He asked Deuce to ask the same question. This time, Steve responded ‘IF YOU HAD
ANY IDEA WHO I WAS, YOU WOULDN’T ASK ME SUCH A STUPID QUESTION!’.
Later that evening Deuce sent an email to Steve with intense emotions – ‘The best in the game!!! The best OL in the NFL!!! best pro bowler there is!!! Best at my craft!!! Best on the team!!! Captain!!!! PAID!!!!!!!! I AM!!!!!! Ofa Atu TBOLITNFL Deuce Lutui’.
TBOLITNFL stood for The Best Offensive Lineman in the NFL. This was Deuce Lutui’s commitment towards becoming the greatest he could be.
What followed was a whirlwind of activity based upon this story and powerful commitment. This included CEOs who were incredibly inspired, with the story reaching across the globe, all the way to the King of Tonga. If you are interested in knowing more, I will share the full video at the end where Steve Hardison gives the whole story at a talk at the University of Utah. The video is incredibly inspiring and is definitely worth a watch. This happened a good ten years ago, so we know the ending of what happened. Deuce Lutui had an excellent season. However, a dream contract fell through due to him being 40 pounds over the conditional weight limit, leading to an eventual decline in his career. However, this does not invalidate the power that can be made by realising what we truly want and committing to it.
Steve Hardison ends his talk with this: ‘I give you the same challenge I gave Deuce, Go find a quiet place. Ask yourself ‘What is it I want? What is it I commit to? And look inside. Be quiet long enough to see something’.
For me, I want to have the greatest impact I can on the world around me. I do not particularly care whether it is through writing, policy work, coaching or otherwise. I want to make the world a better place where I have made a genuine and substantive impact.
I commit to making that a reality. I commit to continue publishing these articles which help people. I commit to making the greatest impact I can do through my work. I commit to continue developing myself to Be the change I want to see in the world.
Now I invite you to do the same. What is it you want? What is it you commit to?
I would love to hear from you. Drop me a message, or comment on the article itself.
You can find the link to Steve Hardison speaking at the University of Utah here.