When I was a new emerging leader, we had an Espiscopal priest in our office at IBM. He had been ordained long after he went to work for IBM and continued to work until he had his own parish. There was something comforting about having him there and his spirit was always glowing with inner goodness.
One day, he passed by my office as he often did to say hello, but this time he dropped a paper on my desk. He said, "I read this poem today and thought of you. It is a keeper." One the paper was this wonderful description of what commitment looks like and what it feels like and what it manifests.
"Until one is committed,
there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back,
always ineffectiveness.
Concerning act is 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 favor all manner
of unforseen incidents and meetings
and material assistance
which no one could have dreamt
would come one's way.
Whatever you can do,
or dream you can, BEGIN IT!
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
Begin it now.
-- Johannn Wolfgang von Goethe
Have you seen and felt a whole-hearted commitment inside you?
Debbe
Debbe Kennedy
Author and founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead
My New Book! Putting Our Differences to Work (June 2008)
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance
Learn more: www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com
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