Dedication is an amazing thing.
A “life hack” if there ever was one.
But here is the problem.
Unbeknownst to many of us, dedication is a constant in our lives, not just present at the times we choose.
We may think we are actively choosing those things we are dedicated to, like our families, careers, etc. And in many instances that is the case.
However, what we often fail to realize is that the areas of our lives in which we are passive is also a form of dedication.
Dedication to lack.
And it’s likely yielding devastating results.
Not working on your fitness?
You’re dedicated to that.
Not expanding your mind, intellect, or thinking?
You’re dedicated to that.
When you haven’t made an active choice you are dedicated to lack of action.
And, just like the things you actively dedicate yourself to, you will yield the results of your dedication.
But let’s forget about that for just a moment and get positive, because things always are if you choose to see them that way.
When you actively dedicate yourself to something, you tend to apply consistency to whatever that something is.
If you are dedicated to an educational pursuit, you are very likely to be consistent in your studies, in searching out information, and in applying your knowledge to achieve the goals you set for yourself.
That’s the result of dedication.
Your growth tends to compound over time as you not only grow in the area of your dedication, but as you inevitably build upon that area.
Here’s an example.
Perhaps you dedicate yourself to a healthier diet.
As you grow in your dietary habits, you start to feel better. You start to look better. Your mind starts to clear and sharpen.
And, feeling this boost, you suddenly find yourself motivated by the prospects of physical fitness.
One good dedication leads to another and you’ve turned momentum in your favor.
That is the power of dedication.
So what about passive dedication?
If we are in a constant state of motion, passivity will not just lead to staying still.
It may lead to sliding backwards.
Not only would you be not growing and not achieving, but perhaps you might even be losing what you’ve gained previously.
And those results compound over time as well.
For example. Let’s say you stop pursuing intellectual pursuits after you’ve completed your formal schooling.
What do you think will happen to the intellectual capacity you developed over all those years?
Will you simply retain the knowledge and critical thinking skills you developed over that time? Will they grow?
Or will they reduce over time with lack of use?
The answer is obvious.
Everything is compounding, positive or negative, all the time. Momentum is happening all around you, whether you realize it or not.
Which might be a scary concept to some, but not to you. That’s why you’re here.
This concept of momentum and compounding results is actually quite liberating because it proves that you have all the power in your own hands.
And you have a lot of it.
You get to choose the direction in which you compound. Growth or loss.
You can change your course for the better at any time and you do not need anyone else’s help or permission to do so.
So here is your challenge:
Think about the things in your life which you have dedicated yourself to.
And if you can’t think of anything, that’s okay. Now is your time to choose one.
It doesn’t have to be “big”.
In fact, what might seem small will likely be very big in impact.
Maybe it’s your health or your fitness. Maybe it’s intellectual and you want to read more books to build yourself up. Maybe you even want to read more fiction to stimulate your mind and help keep yourself sharp.
Some of these pursuits may seem more impactful than others, but they all result in positives when used wisely.
And, as we discussed earlier, the pursuit of one area naturally leads to the pursuit of more so your growth compounds and takes off like a rocket ship.
Eventually your active dedication pursuits become second-nature to you and you don’t even realize you are choosing them anymore.
It’s just who you are.
And that leads to a better, more empowered, and more prosperous you.
I hope you enjoyed this challenge today! Let me know if this spurred you on to dedicate yourself to a new pursuit in the comments below.