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Message From: Raman Bharadwaj |
Total Posts: 33 |
Join Date: 06/06/2006 |
| Rank: Executive |
Post Date: 29/07/2006 05:33:09 |
Points: 210 |
Location: India |
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TOTAL COMMITMENT
by Raman Bharadwaj
Most professionals have become career driven and career minded. Everything is calculated to get someday to that elusive place called "The Top." Many of them go through life learning almost completely on their own understanding and ability. They take control and in charge of their destiny and lay out their lives the way they want to be, most of the time, unmindful of others.
If a person is here in this world to eat, sleep, go to college, get a degree, get married, get a job, have children, climb the corporate ladder, make money, buy a summer home, retire gracefully, grow old and die - - - then, that is no big deal. Everything is okay. But if that's all that is to life, then a person is no different from a pagan who doesn't even believe in God.
Two people, may follow the same career path, and both may end up at the top, yet one maybe living solely for his career and self interest, while the other sees his life as a divine mission from God and thus performs his job with total commitment according to God's will and purpose - stated clearly in 1 Corinthian 10:31:
"Whatever you do, whether eat or drink, do it all for God's glory."
THE CHALLENGE OF TOTAL COMMITMENT
WHAT IS TOTAL COMMITMENT?
I believe that when a leader takes care of people, they, in turn will deliver the impeccable service demanded by clients, who will reward the organization with bountiful gains necessary to secure the future. It is not what you have done but the total commitment attached to it that will spell the difference.
Dictionary's Definition
Webster defines total as comprehensive, full, omnipotent while the World Book Dictionary says that total is absolute, complete, and entire.
Webster defines commitment as an obligation or duty while the World Book Dictionary says it is a pledge to do or perform or bind oneself.
I will put them together to come out with a powerful definition: Total Commitment is an absolute obligation or duty to bind oneself to do or perform.
Layman's Concept
A moving story relayed by a friend speaks of total commitment.
Due to pervasive hunger-all over the world, the World Health Organization asked a group of animals what they can do to solve the problem. The chicken readily offered to give eggs. The cow without hesitation pledged to give milk. The pig did not only offer to give part of itself but its entire being because the pig courageously offered to give ham to the hungry.
Mother Theresa, The Epitome of Total Commitment
Mother Theresa of Calcutta demonstrated what total commitment is all about. She has captivated the hearts of millions of people throughout the world because of her tireless dedication to the poor and the destitute. She portrayed the beauty and power of self-giving. She abandoned her life to God, in order to know the joy that comes from giving oneself to 'Him' and saying yes to whatever 'He' asks.
Mother Theresa, in her book talked about serving, "Love of God must give rise to a total service. The more disgusting the work is, the greater must love be, as it takes succor to the Lord disguised in the rags of the poor." She emphasized that if the poor die of hunger, it is not because God does not care for them. Rather, it is because neither you nor I are generous enough. We do not recognize God when once again 'He' appears under the appearance of suffering-in the hungry man, the lonely, in the child who is looking for a place where he can get warm. Mother Theresa enjoined everyone to love, to give until it hurts, until it bleeds.
Total commitment is a rare spice that adds flavor to all your undertakings. You will realize that it has often been left out for convenience and easy life.
TOTAL COMMITMENT, PERSONIFIED
When disappointment arises, you ask yourself, "How can I continue?"
Amidst the needs, frustrations, temptations you are facing, can you successfully endure many challenges by keeping your heart set in your commitment to serve and give your best shot in everything you do?
When difficult situations people pose a threat on your security, family, career, life and future - to a point where your faith will be stretched beyond you could bear, will you remain focused to what you believe and want to accomplish?
Career
Chosen by the person
Person's goals for his life
Ladder to climb
Tangible rewards
Happiness
"My career is my life"
" I am a professional"
Make it to top
Build a fortune
Focus: Performance
Market- driven
Image- conscious
Horizontal focus
"I can do it"
Make a mark
I realized that there is a huge difference between living for a career and being sent to a mission. When your career is the most important factor in your life, then you are career-driven and career-minded while you climb the ladder. You take a job and leave it two years later because it's a "good career move." You break all the significant relationships in one place and move across the country because your career demands it. You become unmindful of others, step on other toes just to achieve your ambition to be on top of the ladder. When you get there, your career will be complete and the world will applaud your achievements.
SELF EVALUATION QUESTIONS
1. Are we observing service ethics and accountability?
2. Do we have a strong commitment to moral behavior?
3. Are we conscious of the experience of examples of commitment shown
Mother Terressa?
4. Do we portray the pleasure of work and the character of a true professional?
It will be intersting to get more responses on this aspect called "commitment"
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