How to Flip the Switch and Embrace Your Full Potential
Stop Half-Assing Life; Whole Ass It
In today's fast-paced world, it's common for people to be okay with picking something up for a few seconds and putting it down, never developing a complete understanding or mastery of the item or skill.
This has gone beyond hobbies like photography, golf, or writing; it’s become a staple in how individuals deal with their internal faults, lives, and commitments.
The 3-second attention span exacerbated by social media, MSM, and Video Games, are great at keeping you free from accountability, as nobody is asking you about your progress on the goal you publicly shared last month because they’re too busy with their next distraction. When we’re talking about your confidence, self-image, or how you view your life’s worth, we are talking about heavier impact items than whether you are still learning that new language.
You can’t go through life “half-committing” to being your best; you need to go all in on the commitment and then stick with it.
I call this flipping the switch because, like a light switch, we are on or off; I want you 100% on - not somewhere in-between.
Committing Without Fear
The combination of social pressure, family expectations, and personal goals can leave one feeling helpless and overwhelmed. When we try to achieve all of the things we know we should be striving for at once, we end up half-committing to each of them, leaving us feeling more defeated and unaccomplished than before.
Combine this with the fact that many individuals who want to be better at this, they have others in their lives who continuously remind them that they are bad, will never be good enough, and are stupid for even trying to be better…
How can I expect someone to just “flip a switch” overnight after there have been years of people jamming that switch into the off position?
Because I know what it’s like to hate yourself; I know what it’s like to think you aren’t worth it, and I know what it’s like to have to let go of everything you once believed in order to take a chance that the world may have been wrong.
I also know that what I’m asking you to do feels like having to jump out of a plane and put on the parachute as you’re falling.
I know this.
I’m still telling you to do it because I know it can be done, and I know that it’s a hell of a lot better living the way I live now, all in ON, than it ever was living in the Off or 1/2 commitment life.
It's easy for people to get stuck in this pattern of behavior, but things don’t have to remain this way. With the right mindset and tools, anyone can learn how to commit fully to their goals and create a positive self-image.
In this article, we'll explore what half-committing looks like, why people do it, and what steps individuals can take to flip the switch and break the cycle.
Deconstructing Half-Committing
Half-committing is a pattern of behavior in which individuals don't fully commit to achieving their goals or making meaningful changes in their lives. This behavior can manifest in various ways, such as procrastination, underperforming, making excuses, defaulting to what they’ve been told and not what they believe, or giving up when faced with challenges.
People half-commit for a multitude of reasons.
Some reserve their full potential as they lack self-confidence or feel overwhelmed by the prospect of change. Additionally, people may have a fear of failure or not want to face the potential consequences of success. Whatever the reason, half-committing can create a negative cycle that reinforces poor behaviors and a negative self-image.
So how do you know if you're half-committing?
Here are some signs to look out for:
You frequently start new projects or set personal goals but never see them through to the end.
You spend a lot of time thinking about what you want to do but don't take action.
You don't put in the effort required to achieve your goals or create meaningful change in your life.
You often make excuses or blame others for your lack of progress.
Your mental point of what’s “right” is based on what others have told you, not what you believe or want.
If any of these signs resonate with you, it may be time to break the cycle and learn how to break the half-commitment habit.
Your Excuses Suck
There are several reasons why people half-commit.
Common examples shared with me:
Lack of Self-Confidence: When individuals don't believe in themselves or their abilities, they may find it challenging to fully commit to achieving their goals. “Why try and look stupid when I could not try, and at least remain the same as I am now?”.
Fear of Failure: Failure can be scary and daunting, but it's an essential part of learning. However, some individuals avoid committing to their goals because they don't want to face the possibility of failing. “If it fail at this, it’s the end of the world - I will literally die.”.
A Sense of Being Overwhelmed: The prospect of making significant changes in your life can be overwhelming. It's easy to feel like the goal is unachievable, and this mindset can lead to half-committing. The truth is, that feeling is good, as having big dreams should scare the shit out of you; if they don’t, you aren’t aiming high enough.
Negative Self-Image: Individuals with negative self-images may doubt their ability to achieve their goals or create meaningful changes in their lives. This can leave them feeling stuck and unable to commit fully. This population kills me, as they are the ones who don’t feel they’re deserving of love or success, and that keeps them from ever thinking they should try because they don’t feel deserving.
No Accountability: People who don't hold themselves accountable for their actions may find it easy to half-commit, as no one is watching or measuring their progress. This is the strength of FoE, we follow-up on men for this exact reason, it’s easy to say, “Today is the day I start working out” as nobody will ask in a week if you’re sticking with it; they’ll of forgotten…
Now that we understand some of the reasons why people half-commit, let's explore how to break the cycle and commit fully to achieving our goals.
7 Ways to Flip the Switch & Stop 1/2 Committing
Start with small goals: Instead of setting your sights on a massive goal, start with something small and achievable. This will help build momentum and give you a sense of accomplishment that will carry over to other areas of your life.
Believe in yourself: If you don't believe in yourself, it will be tough to commit fully to your goals. Focus on building self-confidence and recognizing all of the positive qualities and skills you possess. What do you have to lose by thinking you just might win?
Visualize your success: Spend time picturing yourself achieving your goals and how that will positively impact your life. This visualization will help keep you motivated and committed to your goal.
Take action: It's easy to get stuck in the planning phase or overthink things when you're not used to committing fully. Instead, take action, even if it's something small. It will help build momentum and get you moving in the right direction.
Hold yourself accountable: Set measurable goals and hold yourself accountable for your progress. Share your goals with someone you trust, and ask them to check in with you regularly.
Be kind to yourself: Recognize that making significant changes in your life is challenging and requires effort. Instead of being hard on yourself, treat yourself with kindness and compassion.
Celebrate your successes: When you achieve a goal, take the time to celebrate and recognize your accomplishments. This will help build confidence and reinforce your commitment to your goals.
I want individuals to do the scary thing and give their everything to something, knowing it may blow up in their face. When that happens, then you learn that it isn’t the end of the world. Sometimes we fail, so what?
Individuals can flip the switch, commit fully to their goals, and create a positive self-image by starting with small goals, believing in themselves, visualizing their success, taking action, holding themselves accountable, being kind to themselves, and celebrating their successes…
The pathway is laid out before you, now take it and with all that you are, run with it.
Remember, change takes time and effort, but with the right mindset and tools, you can shift from half-committing to fully committing and create a positive self-image that will benefit you in all areas of your life.
- Zachary Small
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