By Three-time Olympian Ruben Gonzalez

Some people are interested in reaching their dreams and others are committed to reaching their dreams. The key to success in life is going from being interested to being committed. Once you are committed you will produce results. At the point of commitment, you mentally "burn all the bridges" and you do whatever it takes to make it happen. THAT’S when you become unstoppable!

On the road to the Olympics, many athletes much faster than me quit along the way. There are only two reasons they quit; they either didn’t want it bad enough or they were not as committed.

Commitment is what makes success possible. If you commit to do whatever it takes (as long as it is moral, legal and ethical) to succeed, success will reveal its secrets to you. There are four different levels of commitment; I'll try, I’ll do my best, I’ll do whatever it takes, and it’s a done deal.

“I’ll try” is completely worthless. Whenever someone tells you they are going to try to do something, don't count on anything ever happening. People say “I’ll try” when they are afraid to say “I won’t.” Tony Robbins says that “I’ll try” is the battle cry of wimps. Whenever you say “I’ll try,” you have just guaranteed failure. Because saying “I’ll try” is in effect saying, “If there are ANY obstacles, I’ll have a way out and I’ll be able to quit.”

“I’ll do my best” is not much better than “I’ll try.” People that say “I’ll do my best” are looking for a way out. When they say they'll do their best, they're leaving a huge door open for excuses and justifications later. Remember when you asked your buddies to help you move to your first apartment? I know for sure that none of the ones who said “I’ll try to be there” or “I’ll do my best to be there,” showed up.

Winners say, "I'll do whatever it takes." If you tell someone you'll do whatever it takes, you will produce or else you'll lose face. Finally, the strongest level of commitment is when you say, “It’s a done deal.” When you say “It’s a done deal,” even losing face is not an option. When I was training for the Olympics I would not dare tell my coach I was going to try to do something. It was always, "It's a done deal."

Whenever we arrive at a new track, we walk the track with the coach. We make a game plan about the best way to drive the track. We visualize and mentally rehearse the ideal run, but sooner or later, we have to commit. Sooner or later, we have to hop on the sled and go down the mountain. We have to take those runs knowing that even with all the preparation, the first few times down that track are going to be pretty brutal. Is it scary? Sure, it's scary.

But you have to pay the price if you want to enjoy the prize. You have to commit to do things that are beyond your current abilities. That’s the only way to grow. That’s how you get better and stronger. So attack your fears head on. Otherwise, you will be their servant for the rest of your life.

Take a chance. Act on faith. Put yourself in a position where you have to stretch and fight for something. It brings out the best in you. It is good for your soul.

Ruben Gonzalez is an award-winning keynote speaker and the author of the critically acclaimed book, “The Courage to Succeed.” His experiences as a three-time Olympian and as the owner of two businesses give him a unique perspective on how to conquer the corporate struggles of today. For his free 10-Part Success e-Course, visit www.StartWinningMore.com or contact him at 832-689-8282.