I think that in most people’s minds, the image of commitment is a never-ending struggle, with achievments few and far apart. As if the difficulty at the beginning of this commitment will be as difficult all the way through.
When starting on a new skill or endeavor, we have very different ideas of how commmitment looks than we do years down the road. This may be from original lack of knowledge on the subject, but I find that commitment, if constant, does unquestionably become an easier task.
If we begin our new skill with only a vague idea of where to go or what to do, but are nonetheless constantly moving; constantly working towards the goal, a wonderful knock-on effect takes place. And it doesn’t always happen as quickly as we’d like, but it happens!
For those of you asking “What’s a ‘knock-on effect’?” It’s simply this (put in lamen’s terms): Something happens, and as a result, something else happens. So in other words, if you strive towards your goal, with full commitment, something will eventually happen. And once that happens, you will gain another something from that first event.
For me, this commitment and knock-on effect relates to my passion in life: Voice Over. I would say I’m quite comfortable with where I’m at and what I’m doing. Especially compared to the beginning of this road. I am still fully committing myself to it; working hard everyday. The only difference between now and the beginning is: It’s much easier to stay committed.
Why? Well because the image of commitment isn’t constant. It actually becomes easier and easier. It does not remain a continual struggle, but evolves into a comfortable work ethic.
Take another example: Working out. Oh, you can be sure those first few weeks, or months, going to the gym on schedule is more than tedious, it’s maddening. After a while, every fiber in your body is telling you to stay home and Netflix the hours away. But one who pushes through that begins to see results. This is where the knock-on effect begins. The results are obvious… You lose weight, you’re healthier, you feel better, you’re proud of yourself. And these effects cause something else to happen: You want more! So you continue to go to the gym, and although it IS still difficult going those extra reps with the weights, or the extra minutes on the tredmill, you’re more comfortable with it. The pain is easier. Perhaps after that, by going to the gym so often, you meet a friend. You now have a companion to meet with regularly and work out, keeping you even more committed and giving you even more results. Yet another knock-on effect.
The Commitment becomes easier.
For me and my voice over career, the knock-on effect has been extraordinary. And continues to be so. I started off, years ago, clueless. So I researched. And by my research I gained these things: Insight, motivation, and confidence. And through this research and its effects, I gained much more: Books and DVD’s of the “how-to” nature, tips and tricks of the trade, eticate in and out of the studio… I even gained a voice-over mentor! Each event branching out and giving me more to work with.
But that’s the key: More to WORK WITH. Those “branches” I refer to…You can’t just let them grow out and wither. You have to be pruning them, and watering them, and even planting more seeds. The knock-on effect is useless unless you’re staying committed to your goal, just as much, all the way through.
But isn’t this changing image of commitment such a hopeful thought? The difficulty in it will be gone with time. The commitment WILL get easier. You just have to keep moving forward.
So in a sense, we can say this: More Commitment = Less Commitment.
Chrispoiriervo 