Commitment

Goethe on Commitment - J. W. von Goethe

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative ( and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now".

A key part of the coaching conversation is this question of commitment.  Having identified / clarified the goal, examined the options and decided on the next steps, the question arises - 'How committed are you?'   Without personal commitment to the changes agreed the coaching remains at the level of a comfortable conversation.


As outlined in the recent post on 'procrastination, the coachee may need help from the coach with 'getting specific'

• What do you want to start with first?
• How important is it to you that you do it?
• How are you going to do it?
• When are you going to do it?
• Exactly when?
• Who do you need to help you?
• How realistic is it?
• How committed are you to doing it?
• What do you need to get it on track?
• What do you need to keep it on track?
• What might be lurking around the corner to derail it?
• How can you avoid that?
• What help do you need from me?

but the commitment remains with the coachee.