Dedication (noun)

The quality of being committed to a task or purpose.

Synonyms: commitment, diligence, zeal, perseverance, enthusiasm

What type of dedication does it take to reach your goals?

The recurring subject of many of my articles has been learning to accept your journey for what it is — yours.

In doing so; you must sit back, reflect, decide what the dedication will look like and be willing to make the necessary commitments to reach those goals. In fact, the need to make excuses yields practically nothing, compared to that of dedication and commitment — you either get results or excuses, not both.

So back to it; dedication. What does your dedication look like?

The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Let me give you some insight into my dedication, which is not by any means a template for you, but simply to show you that dedication and sacrifice looks different for everyone, but trust and believe everyone is making the necessary commitments and sacrifices to reach their life goals.

Please do not believe that another’s success was attained easily. Dedication to my goals, changes from week to week, month to month and year to year. Should I be very precise about “beasting” in all areas of life. I journal, commit, and hold myself accountable to what I write down because nobody likes seeing boxes unchecked nor using white out to erase a task.

For me, dedication means waking up at 4.30am for a 5am workout before opening our studio.

This can also mean skipping the late-night movie so that I get in my eight hours of sleep. Rest is important.

It means doing housework, laundry, grocery shopping and meal preparation between clients to ensure my home is in good condition and that I have the necessary food and energy to remain dedicated. That means skipping the midday nap sometimes.

Dedication on my part means skipping that weekend social to get caught up on rest and, most importantly, personal time with my husband — dedication to both home and work is important.

Although we may work together, I’m sure you know that is not a replacement for dates or quiet time together.

Dedication to my husband, family, business, and fitness may read as insane, impossible and unnecessary and I’m quite OK with that. Dedication for me means using every ounce of time properly so that I stay on track, can be a great wife, daughter, sister, aunt to my family and still manage a successful business.

Surely, every minute isn’t accounted for, but simply journaling tasks, client progress, and sometimes leaving hours absolutely empty help me to remain dedicated and “beast” in all aspects of life.

Your dedication will look different, but it’s yours; be honest with your efforts and your choices. Be true to yourself and remain accountable to your goals.

• Dre Jackson is a retired athlete who is now a personal trainer, aerobic and yoga instructor and fitness “addict” with more than 20 years’ experience. She specialises in nutrition, weight and sprint training, operating out of HindsSight Fitness and Wellness at the Berkeley Cultural Centre. Contact her on: absbydre@gmail.com or 599-0412. Find her on Facebook and Instagram under @Absbydre