COMMITMENT. I like the sound of that word. It means that you have pledged, obligated and bound yourself to carry out a given course of action in the future. Good grades in school requires commitment. Athletic prowess requires commitment. Achievement of any rank, from Tenderfoot to the coveted and treasured Eagle award, requires commitment. For adults, marriage requires commitment. Quality life requires commitment. Simply put, success requires commitment.
Unfortunately, I too often see adults and youth who want to be part of a movement … but don’t want to commit the most important thing they have to offer … themselves. If something is worth doing, it is worth doing with enthusiasm … and commitment. If you want to serve as a Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Troop Committee Member or in any other position, including Scoutmaster, you should be committed to making your unit ‘First Class’ in every aspect.
What does it take to have commitment? In the words of Western Kentucky University Head Swimming Coach Bill Powell, there is an old Indian word that seems applicable. It is the special word ‘YOUGOTTAWANTA.’
Do you have commitment to the Troop? Are you committed to achieving your next rank? Are you committed to achieving life’s successes? If you are, you’re pointed toward a wonderful future. If you’re not committed, your future is going to be based on the old Indian word ‘ICUDDA,’ and you’re not going far.
What’s the difference between success and failure? It’s how much desire you have. You can do almost anything you want, given enough hard work and desire. But, … it takes a lot of ‘YOUGOTTAWANTA.’
Retired Scoutmaster
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