The Power of Devotion

The Power of Devotion

One of the most common conversations I have with my students centers around the idea of commitment. Whether they’re diving into creative exploration, personal growth, or breaking through a fear that’s kept them stuck, the first step is often a clear commitment: showing up consistently, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient.

But over the years, I’ve realized that while commitment is essential for achieving results, it’s not the thing that truly transforms us. What I ask of my students—and of myself—is something deeper: devotion.

Commitment will get you results. Devotion will give those results meaning.

In my twenties, I committed to becoming a professional designer. I was self-taught, so becoming a pro took a huge level of commitment—not just to learning the craft but also to understanding the business side of making a living from it. Sure, I was creating art, but it was for clients, and it came out of a commitment to providing excellent service and meeting their expectations.

Looking back, a lot of that commitment came from a place of fear. Fear of failure. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of not living up to my potential. My commitment was fueled by this inner pressure to prove something—to myself and to the world.

Fast forward to my forties, when I returned to art after stepping away from my design firm. This time, something had shifted. I wasn’t creating out of fear or obligation. I wasn’t doing it to prove anything. I was doing it because I loved it. I had discovered what it felt like to create from a place of devotion—to pour my heart into my work not because I had to, but because I got to.

When it was time for me to shift into a new professional path as a coach and a spiritual teacher, I made a conscious decision to do things differently. I didn’t want my work to come from a place of obligation or fear anymore. I wanted to devote myself to the work—not just commit to it. Devotion, for me, meant bringing my whole heart and soul into what I do. It meant honoring the deeper meaning behind my work and allowing it to be a sacred offering, rather than a box I needed to check.

This shift—from commitment to devotion—changed everything. It deepened my relationship with the work and the people I serve. It wasn’t just about achieving goals or meeting expectations. It became about creating something meaningful, something that felt like an extension of who I truly am.

Commitment Gets You There. Devotion Keeps You Grounded.

In personal growth work, commitment is essential. It’s the foundation. You need to show up, again and again, to see any kind of progress. You need to face your fears, hold yourself accountable, and stick with the process even when it feels challenging.

But if commitment is the foundation, devotion is the fire that keeps it alive. Devotion brings a sense of purpose and meaning to the work. It transforms a routine into a ritual. It turns discipline into desire.

For example, in my Creative High Growth program, I ask participants to commit to the work. That means showing up for the sessions, doing the writing assignments, and completing the exercises. Commitment creates the structure—the container for growth.

But what truly transforms people is when they go beyond commitment and step into devotion. When they approach the work not just as a checklist to complete but as a sacred practice. When they bring their whole heart into the process.

Devotion makes the work personal. It’s about deepening your relationship with yourself and honoring your journey.

The Difference Between Commitment and Devotion

Here’s how I see the distinction:

• Commitment is about keeping a promise. Devotion is about keeping the faith.

• Commitment is about discipline. Devotion is about love.

• Commitment is what you do. Devotion is how you feel while doing it.

One is not better than the other. They’re both necessary. But devotion adds soul to the equation.

Devotion in Action

I see this all the time in the creative process. For instance, someone might commit to writing a book by setting a goal to write 1,000 words a day. That’s a great start. But if they approach it with devotion—writing because they feel called to tell a story, because they love the act of writing, because it brings them closer to their truth—the experience becomes transformative.

It’s the same with personal growth work. You might commit to journaling every morning because you know it’s good for you. But when you approach it with devotion—seeing it as a way to connect with your inner voice, to uncover insights, to honor your journey—it becomes more than a habit. It becomes a sacred practice.

My Challenge to You

Where in your life are you operating from commitment? And where can you invite more devotion?

Take a moment to reflect on an area where you’ve been showing up consistently. Maybe it’s your work, your relationships, your creative practice, or even your self-care routine. Ask yourself:

• Am I doing this because I feel I should, or because I love to?

• How can I bring more heart, more presence, and more meaning into this?

The magic happens when we pair commitment with devotion. Commitment builds the container. Devotion fills it with light. Together, they create a practice that is both transformative and sustainable.

So this week, I invite you to experiment with devotion. Whatever you’re committed to, bring a little more love into the process. Find the joy. Reconnect with your why. And watch how it transforms not just what you do, but who you are becoming in the process.

And if you'd like to share with me what that was like for you, I'm here to listen. 

Here’s to showing up—with discipline and with heart.