This past week, I was hosting a few girlfriends who were visiting Los Angeles from New York. I enjoyed showing them around, and we had a great time together. As a result, I wasn’t able to spend as much time working on this article as I originally planned. But because this piece is about commitments, it felt right to publish it on time—even if it’s shorter than usual.
Time is a limited commodity that we can’t get back. The older we get, the less of it we seem to have, and it’s more important than ever to invest it properly.
Time investment = commitment to a decision.
Like any investment, it comes with risk. If you’re investing all of your time into work, your personal life may suffer. But if you’re investing most of your time into a romantic partner instead of your own growth, other areas of your life can get stale. And if you’re committed to the wrong partner—whether romantic or business-related—you might find yourself set back.
I’ve been reflecting on commitments and time a lot recently. Committing to big decisions like getting a pet, moving cross-country, starting a relationship, or launching a business with someone is scary because it can change the entire trajectory of your life. I recently made a few important commitments that are altering the course of my life in a positive way. How do I know it’s positive? Because I’m committed to the journey and to learning, instead of just focusing on the outcome.
When I decided to move to California, my lease in New York was ending, and I told most of my friends I was leaving, although it didn’t feel real yet. Once I booked my non-refundable, one-way flight, I found myself looking at apartments on StreetEasy and thinking, What if I just move to Tribeca? I got cold feet for a second but then asked myself, What’s the worst thing that could happen? If LA didn't work out, New York was still there. The fallback was solid, so I went.
Making a commitment to big decisions can be intimidating, and if the decision can’t be undone, you need to weigh all the potential consequences. But if it can be undone, you should take action immediately.
So, how do you decide where to invest your time and what decisions to commit to?
Here are a few questions to help guide you:
Does this commitment align with my values and long-term vision?
It’s easy to get distracted by short-term gains or external pressure, but asking this question can help filter out decisions that don’t serve your true goals.
Am I choosing this because it’s comfortable or because it challenges me?
Comfort can be alluring, but it often leads to stagnation. Growth happens when you lean into the discomfort of making a bold choice.
What’s the cost of doing nothing?
We often focus on what could go wrong if we act, but what about what you stand to lose if you stay still?
In the end, life isn’t about avoiding risks; it’s about making deliberate investments of your time and energy into commitments that move you forward. And remember, a decision isn’t always permanent. Be open to course-correcting if something feels off. After all, your journey is uniquely yours—embrace it.
How do you feel about time investment and commitments? Let me know in comments.
In retrospect the dots connect.
