In fact, being unaware of whether or not you are committed to something or just interested in something is a very prevalent (and seductive) form of Self-Deception.

But there is another, and more relevant part of why you don’t do something that you think you are committed to. It is because…

…you are more committed to something else!

For example, when you don’t save money, even though you are interested in the result of saving money, you may actually be MORE committed to the experience of spending whatever money you have whenever you have it.  Likewise, even though you may be interested in the benefits of fitness, you may be MORE committed to doing other things with your time.  (By the way, doing nothing at all is “doing” something.)

At this point you could assume that commitments are uncontrollable forces and we don’t have anything to say about it (watch out for self-deception here!).  To be sure, many of your commitments may look that way, but only because you never really distinguish them.  Like many things in the world, your commitments will take the path of least resistance if left completely on their own.  On the other hand, your commitments can also be powerful tools for helping you get what you want.  In any case, it is clearly to your advantage to understand what your commitments are, and are not.

Take our little test "Are You Committed?". It may clarify something for you about commitments. If you let yourself be informed by what you learn, it can help you see where you might be sabotaging yourself.