While speaking to an NFL team I had each player write their goals on a piece of paper. After a few minutes I had them rip up the paper they had just written on.
You could feel their anger and frustration while they ripped up the paper they had just spent time and energy writing on. I then asked, "How many of you wrote down win a Super Bowl?"
All the hands went up. I told them that every person in every NFL meeting room has the same goal but only one team wins a championship. So, it's not your goals that will take you to where you want to go.
It’s your commitments that will lead you to your goals.
I then had them write down their goals once again but this time I also had them write down their commitments and had a few guys share them out loud.
Guys shared how they were going to commit to eating heathier and take care of their bodies so they don’t break down during the season. Other guys committed to watching more film and preparing more for games.
It was a more meaningful and elevated conversation and I realized that we need to change the conversation about goals.
We focus so much on goals but we need to spend more time and energy focusing on our commitments.
Goals are great but it’s your commitments that lead to greatness.
Commitments are greater than goals.
So the next time you write down your goals I want to encourage you to also write down your commitments.
What will you commit to in order to achieve your goals?
Then focus on your commitments each day, each week and overtime you will be more likely to achieve your goals.
If you are on a team definitely make sure you implement the 7 Commitments of a Great Team.
I can’t promise they will lead to you winning a championship but I know you can’t win a championship without them!
-Jon
