A chicken and a pig were walking down the road together when they came across a sign for a local charity breakfast that was raising money for a good cause. The sign read, “Ham and Eggs Breakfast: Help Us Raise Money!”

The chicken turned to the pig and said, “Hey, we should contribute to this breakfast!”

The pig thought for a moment and replied, “That's easy for you to say. For you, it's a contribution. For me, it's a total commitment!”

The humor in this story highlights the difference between being involved and being truly committed. While the chicken can simply lay an egg and move on, the pig must give everything for the breakfast. It serves as a reminder that true commitment often requires going beyond the surface level and fully dedicating oneself to the cause at hand.

Walter Cronkite, the legendary evening newsman, said, “I can’t imagine a person becoming a success who doesn’t give this game of life everything he’s got.”

In the pursuit of success, be the pig, not the chicken. Total commitment is where the real impact lies.

Fortunately for us humans, we don’t need to make the same commitment as the pig to be successful. But if a project or a goal or a promise is worth achieving, true commitment will likely require some tough decisions and sacrifices. If something is worth doing, resolve to do it well.

One of my closest friends, Lou Holtz, the Hall of Fame college football coach, believes the first thing any person or organization needs to be the best is, “you have to make a commitment to excellence.” When you are interested in doing something, you do it when circumstances permit; when you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.

Commitment is a prerequisite to success. Commitment is the state of being bound -- emotionally, intellectually or both -- to a course of action. Commitment starts with a choice and is sustained by dedication and perseverance. Actions speak louder than words.

Have you ever seen a team run on the field yelling, “We're No. 2!”? Everyone wants to be No. 1. Those who actually achieve it are those who are committed enough to put blood, sweat and tears into their effort.

Commitment in the workplace is a crucial element that drives both personal and organizational success. When employees are committed to their work, they are more likely to be productive, motivated and aligned with the company's goals.

Here are some key aspects of encouraging employee commitment:

Ownership and responsibility. Employees who are committed take ownership of their tasks and responsibilities. They are proactive in seeking solutions and are accountable for their actions.

Engagement and passion. Committed employees are genuinely interested in their work. They find meaning and purpose in their roles, which fuels their passion and enthusiasm.

Continuous improvement. A commitment to work often includes a desire for personal and professional growth. Employees seek opportunities to learn, develop new skills and improve their performance. As managers, it is important to provide development opportunities. Offer training and development programs to help employees grow and advance in their careers.

Alignment with organizational goals. When employees understand and align with the company's mission and values, their commitment strengthens. They see their work as contributing to a larger purpose. Organizations need to ensure that employees understand the company's goals and how their work contributes to them.

Resilience and persistence. Committed employees demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges. They persist through difficulties and remain focused on achieving their objectives.

Teamwork and collaboration. Commitment also involves working well with others. Employees who are committed to their work often foster a collaborative environment, supporting and encouraging their colleagues. Create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture that values employee contributions and well-being.

Recognition. Acknowledge and reward employees for their hard work and achievements to reinforce their commitment.

Set the example. Recognize that commitment starts at the top. Employees can tell the difference between a boss who is just as devoted to the mission and a boss who takes credit while others do the heavy lifting.

In typical form, comedian Bill Murray highlighted one notable exception to this advice when he quipped, “Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you’re donating blood.”

Mackay's Moral: Commitment is the fuel that drives the engine of success -- nurture it, and your organization will thrive.

He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com, by emailing harvey@mackay.com or by writing him at MackayMitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.)

A community-minded businessperson was being honored at a dinner for his many contributions and giving spirit. The emcee shared a long list of the man’s accomplishments, including being president of a large manufacturing company, possessing several real estate holdings, spearheading a host of economic development projects and many voluntary involvements.

The honoree said: “Your support is overwhelming. Many of you are aware of my accomplishments, and not one of them would have been possible without your help. I came to this community with the clothes I was wearing and a paper bag containing all my worldly belongings.”

At the close of the speech, a young admirer asked, “What was in the bag?”

His reply, “My million-dollar inheritance.”

The money definitely helped, but this man still had to accomplish all these feats. You need to have a plan, follow reasonable advice, ask for help when you need it and work harder than you thought you could to accomplish your dream.

As tennis great Althea Gibson said, “No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helped you.”

Accomplishing something brings a profound sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. It's like reaching the summit of a mountain after a challenging climb -- there’s a mix of relief, pride and joy. You feel a surge of confidence, knowing that your effort, perseverance and dedication have paid off.

The true reward of accomplishment lies not just in the result, but in the journey and growth that lead you there.

There's a sense of validation as your hard work and determination are recognized, whether by others or simply by your own standards. It's a moment of reflection where you can appreciate the journey, the obstacles overcome and the growth you've experienced along the way.

Accomplishments are milestones that mark our progress and help us measure our success. They provide a sense of purpose and direction, motivating us to set and achieve new goals.

Moreover, the pursuit of accomplishment teaches us resilience, problem-solving and perseverance. It encourages us to step out of our comfort zones, face challenges and learn from failures. Each accomplishment, big or small, builds confidence and self-esteem, reinforcing the belief that we can achieve more.

In the context of business and personal development, accomplishments are crucial. They demonstrate our abilities to ourselves and others, opening doors to new opportunities and helping us build a reputation for reliability and competence.

Here’s a final story to illustrate my point: In a bustling city, there was a young salesman named Tim who worked for a small company selling office supplies. Despite his enthusiasm, Tim struggled to meet his sales targets. His colleagues often teased him for his relentless optimism, calling him “Tim the Try-Hard.”

One day, Tim decided to approach the largest corporation in town, a company known for never changing suppliers. His colleagues laughed, betting that he'd be turned away at the door. But Tim had a plan. He spent weeks researching the company, learning everything he could about their needs and challenges.

Armed with this knowledge, Tim crafted a personalized proposal that addressed every pain point the corporation had with their current supplier. He even included a few creative solutions that no one else had thought of. With determination, he scheduled a meeting with the procurement manager.

To everyone's surprise, the corporation was impressed by Tim's thoroughness and creativity. They decided to give his company a chance, starting with a small order. Over time, Tim's dedication and innovative solutions won them over completely, and they became one of the company's biggest clients.

Tim's accomplishment wasn't just landing a big client -- it was proving that persistence, preparation and creativity can overcome even the toughest challenges.

Success often comes to those who are willing to go the extra mile, even when others say it's impossible.

Mackay's Moral: Accomplishments are the steppingstones on the path to success; each one builds the foundation for the next.

He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com, by emailing harvey@mackay.com or by writing him at MackayMitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.)

A donkey and a tiger got into an argument. The donkey believed the grass was blue, while the tiger said the grass was green. This went on for days. Finally, they went to the lion to resolve their argument.

The donkey felt the tiger should be punished for not believing him. So, the lion announced, “The tiger must be silent for three days.”

As the donkey ran away happily, the tiger asked the lion, “Why are you punishing me when you know the grass is green?”

“Yes, the grass is green,” said the lion. “This has nothing to do with that. Your punishment is because you are a brave, intelligent creature who has wasted your time arguing over something trivial, and now you have wasted my time just to validate something you know is true.”

The biggest waste of time is arguing with a fool. There will always be someone to argue with you. When ignorance screams, move on. Trust your instincts. Don’t second-guess yourself.

Trusting your gut is an invaluable piece of advice, especially when it comes to believing in what you're doing. As I often say, the most successful people aren't just in a job for something to do; they're in their work to do something meaningful. When you trust your instincts, you're more likely to be aligned with your true purpose and values, which can lead to greater satisfaction and success in your endeavors.

Trusting your gut when you know something is true is a powerful approach. Your instincts are often shaped by your accumulated knowledge and experiences, even if you don't consciously realize it. When you have confidence in your understanding and your intuition aligns with the facts, it can lead to more decisive and effective actions.

By trusting your gut, you are acknowledging the depth of your insight and allowing it to guide you. This can help you make decisions that are not only rational but also resonate with your inner values and beliefs. When your instincts and the truth align, let them lead you confidently toward your goals.

When you have a dream that you can't let go of, trust your instincts and pursue it. But remember: Real dreams take work. They take patience, and sometimes they require you to dig down very deep. Be sure you're willing to do that.

Your instincts are a powerful guide -- listen to them, and they can lead you to your most fulfilling work.

Trusting your instincts is a crucial skill in both personal and professional life. Your gut feelings are often based on a deep understanding of your experiences, values and knowledge, even if you aren't consciously aware of it. When you learn to trust these instincts, you can make decisions that are more aligned with your true self and goals. This can lead to more authentic and effective outcomes.

When your information is solid and your instincts are clear, second-guessing is often a detour from your path to success.

Second-guessing yourself can be counterproductive, especially when you have good information and your instincts are aligned with the facts. When you constantly question your decisions, it can lead to analysis paralysis, where you become so caught up in evaluating every possible outcome that you end up making no decision at all. This hesitation can cause missed opportunities and undermine your confidence.

Moreover, second-guessing can erode your trust in your own judgment and abilities. When you have gathered the necessary information and your intuition supports your decision, it's often best to move forward with confidence. Trusting yourself can enhance your decisiveness and empower you to act more effectively in both personal and professional situations.

One of my favorite, if unlikely, modern philosophers, Yogi Berra, offered this gem: “Keep trying. Stay humble, Trust your instincts. Most importantly, act. When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

Mackay’s Moral: Your instincts are your inner compass; let them guide you to your true north.

He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com, by emailing harvey@mackay.com or by writing him at MackayMitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.)