Rules are better than commitments
- I do 45-60 min of sport every day.
- I don’t drink any alcohol.
- I sleep 8 hours each night.
These are some of my rules of the game called life. They are not commitments – they are rules. For me the difference is subtle but important.
For a commitment I try really hard to reach it. I do sport – but doing a hike for 2 hours will count as „sport“ for that day. I try to get 8 hours of sleep – except there is a great party going on. There is a strong will to reach that goal but you as a person decide every day if and how to stick to the commitment.
I don’t have to decide. I don’t have to think. The first thing I do after breakfast is exercise. When someone offers me alcohol – even the most expensive red wine – the answer will be no. And I leave every party and celebration early enough to get my sleep.
Do I ever break the rules? Yes. Earlier this year I was sick with fever and did not do any sport. The cough syrup contained alcohol and I had a terrible sleep. However I have not broken these rules without being forced by external circumstances.
Examine your life – what are areas where a 100% rule might be easier to stick to than a 99% commitment?
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