Friday, June 14, 1996

You can’t win by defense

The wicked flee when no one is pursuing,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
-- Proverbs 28:1

Here’s a test to determine whether you are truly committed to something: do you feel the need to prove it? If so, then you’re not completely committed.

True commitment is not defensive, but rather is completely confident. At first blush, this may seem strange. After all, if you’re totally committed to something, whether it is an idea or a person or a business or a nation, you should be willing to defend it. Well, that’s close. But take it a step further.

When you’re completely committed to something, there is no NEED to defend it. There is only the desire to EXPRESS it as completely as possible.

Think of that the next time you find yourself in a debate or heated discussion. Who are you really trying to convince -- your detractor or yourself? If you’re arguing defensively, you yourself are probably no more convinced than your “opponent.” Arguments and debates rarely produce any change in thinking.

We project our doubts on to those around us. And when you have no doubts, there is no need to defend. You are a confident expression of your commitment. Effective persuasion begins with total commitment.

— Ralph Marston

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Copyright ©1996 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All Rights Reserved. The Daily Motivator is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only. Other than personal sharing, please do not re-distribute without permission.