All or Nothing: Love it or Get Out

Clubs. Sports. Activities. They are all joined by one word: commitment. When joining an extracurricular activity, it is expected that one will show dedication and have fun. Yet, there are people that, for some reason, think that it’s acceptable to only do one of those things. Unsurprisingly, some individuals decide to only have fun regardless of the consequences while others simply fail to try at all.

No one grabs a gun, points it at your head, and demands that you join an extracurricular activity. For the most part one chooses to be a member of an organization. Some may argue that their parents “force” them to be a part of that club or sport. If this is the case, some may feel that goofing off and not putting any effort into duties is alright. However, this is a selfish way of thinking. Even if you were forced to join, you actions are having a impact. It is unjust for the whole team to lose a match simply because one person didn’t care enough to make an effort. That‘s like slapping each and every single person on the team and saying, “I don’t care about you”.

Then there is the other type of individuals. The person that is the first to show up when the only requirement is having a good time. But what about when it’s time to be serious and get work done? Then it’s a completely different story. It’s “I don’t have time” and “ I have to leave early” or “I’m going to sit here and watch you work”. That attitude is simple ridiculous. Being part of an organization is like marriage. You are there to celebrate the fun times together, but you don’t shy away from troubled times. Instead, you confront them and battle through them—not alone but as a unit.

How can an individual take credit for something to which he/she did not contribute to? When a goal is accomplished, part of the satisfaction is knowing that one helped in bringing an accomplishment to life. Otherwise, the accomplishment is nothing more than and empty trophy.

Commitment doesn’t mean allowing a sport, club, or activity consume your life. It means giving your best effort during a game even if you feel like a worn out shoe. It means attending meetings even if all you want to do is go home and sleep. It means showing that you care.