Rabbi A. B. A'amar

Throughout life we sign different contracts with a variety of other people; the bank, the phone company, university, the person we buy a house from, etc. Contracts can be as brief and basic as a sticky-note or as comprehensive as a sweeping novel, but their purpose is always the same: to register the commitments that each party undertakes and the terms for fulfilling them.

 

As you take your first steps into the whirlwind of young adulthood, it is worth laying out in writing what you expect of yourself with regards to your family, your community and, perhaps most importantly, your own goals.

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Since you play a major role in shaping your future, both in creating and overcoming the obstacles, it is helpful to prepare a contract with yourself. A contract that outlines what you want to achieve, that highlights the potential behaviors that can help, and those that can prevent, you in your quest to achieve them. By articulating the specific actions you will take and by identifying in advance the possible excuses you may hide behind, you are laying the foundations for your success.

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1. Take a look at this draft contract and use it as a baseline for yours. Since you represent both parties of the contract, make sure you are completely comfortable with the language and feel free to modify it to make it your own.

2. Contracts can be useful in your relationship with your parents, siblings, etc. Consider the people closest to you: With which one of them do you think a contract could contribute to a smoother relationship? Discuss the idea with them. What was their reaction? You can sign additional contracts with others, provided each party is willing to take their commitments seriously.