The Courage to Commit: Embrace the Radical Power of Sticking with Something

Committing—to a relationship, a job, or a personal goal—is less a sacrifice than a means of working toward purpose and mastery, according to this energetic debut program. Former Olympic gymnast Johnson and ex-NFL player East argue that despite modern society’s obsession with endless choices, the ability to stay dedicated offers many benefits: creating “calm” by freeing up cognitive energy for meaningful pursuits; facilitating personal growth; transforming effort into mastery; and strengthening relationships. They offer practical frameworks for identifying worthwhile commitments and setting oneself up to carry them out by finding good mentors, building positive habits, and implementing accountability systems. Johnson and East’s guide is buoyed by their upbeat tone and ample anecdotes of their devotion to their sports (Johnson writes movingly of her thousands of practice hours before a single high-stakes Olympic performance), though the reliance on personal examples may frustrate readers seeking a research-based framework or broader applications. Still, it’s a convincing case for staying focused in a culture preoccupied with keeping options open. (June)