Not Just Another Internet Business Success Journey

Commitments

I was at a friend’s wedding on the weekend. She had asked me to make a DVD of the event. I have not done a wedding before but working with video is something of a part-time hobby for me. While at the ceremony, I was reminded that commitment is a big part of many aspects of our lives.

In relationships such as marriage, commitment is a key, if not core, requirement for long-term success. When one or the other person stops committing time, energy or love, the relationship begins to weaken. The good news is that with commitment being freely given by both parties, both stand to reap the benefits of a healthy relationship.

Commitment in business takes on a slightly different hue. The business owner must commit several things to the business. Time, money and passion are a good start. Businesses will often start without any relationship with customers. It is only with commitment that these will develop. A business owner must also commit to serving customer needs and seeking to better understand just what it is that will best satisfy not only current customers, but attract new leads.

I believe that commitment comes from our values and priorities. What we value often occupies our minds, determines our attitudes and directs our actions. For a business owner then, valuing customers is a priority. Staff, advisers, contractors and assets also hold tremendous value and deserve our commitment in different ways.

During the wedding I was also reminded of how precious are our own relationships. I was busy for several hours on Saturday and I have multiple hours of work ahead of me to make that DVD, but before I commit time to my video hobby or business pursuits, I have a family which I value more highly than any of those things.

Being a Christian means that my number one priority is God and, believe it or not, I have found that my most successful times in life have come from spending time getting my priorities and values in order. After that, attitudes and commitment will naturally follow.

From time to time, put aside all the business, financial and technical matters and contemplate your life priorities and values. Take some time out to separate them into a distinct order then begin to give your time and effort to those things highest up on your list. You and your loved ones will all benefit from this, and usually by so much more than you could imagine and although at times it defies logic, your business will also reap the benefits.

Here’s to your ongoing success, in all things.

Brendan.