Whatever the challenge may be children should be encouraged to commit. Many things that we hope to achieve in life require hard work and commitment to reach those goals. Children need to know that it's okay if something doesn't come easily to them. These challenges build character and foster the ability to commit to worthwhile causes. When dealing with my own two children, who are now young adults, I never wanted them to back down from those difficult or challenging situations. I always told them (and still do) to do their best, leave it all out there, and let the chips fall where they may. Hard work and commitment rarely go unnoticed.
Chapter 3 in The Essential Qualities of a Team Player addresses the value of commitment. The author, Maxwell, says "Adversity fosters commitment, and commitment fosters hard work." I can relate to this basic idea in my own life and in the lives of my children. Many times when a situation is difficult, one may discover they have the resolve to find a way to be successful, whether it be in school, sports, or on the job as an adult.
The next time your child complains about school being too hard or not liking a certain assignment, challenge him or her to the commitment. The rewards they will receive in accomplishing a goal or meeting a challenge far exceed getting a good grade, or making the team. They will begin to develop a more positive self-image that allows them to be successful people in the world.
"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender." Vince Lombardi
Barbara hits the nail on the head. Something that is not challenging does not require the committment we look for. The level of commitment for an easy task is much lower than the level required for a harder one. I like the way you challenge us to challenge children to commit to a difficult task. I think we give them too many ways out, thus depriving them of the self respect of completing a difficult task.
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