The Power of the Public Commitment

Peer pressure isn’t always a bad thing.

For a few years, I made videos for social media whenever I felt like it. I enjoyed it. The response was positive. Still, I never made any sort of commitment to doing this on a regular schedule. 

Then Covid-19 happened. I had more time, and I started making a video every week. I did not make a formal proclamation. I also didn’t have much of a “public” following me. Still, some people started to expect a video from me every week.

A shift happened when there was no longer a question of whether I would say something each week. No matter how busy I might be, I will post something. Now, it’s not always insightful (as those of you who see these videos can attest!), but the very act of fulfilling the public commitment pushes me to up my game. I have improved much more than if I only did work whenever I felt like it.

It’s easy to break a commitment that I only make to myself. It’s harder to back out when people are counting on me. 

It’s easy to skip a workout when no one else will know. It’s harder to miss when it would mean disappointing one’s running partner or CrossFit group. 

If you’re trying to make some change, never underestimate the power of the public commitment: