I must take a moment to confess that I am, in fact, often earnest.
# characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions; "both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate"; "an entirely sincere and cruel tyrant"; "a film with a solemn social message"
# dear: earnest; "one's dearest wish"; "devout wishes for their success"; "heartfelt condolences"
# something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract
# businesslike: not distracted by anything unrelated to the goal
