How To Develop Unstoppable Determination
“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.”~ Tommy Lasorda
98% of people will never achieve their dreams or their potential because they lack determination. Here are 7 strategies to make you unstoppable:
1) Make Up Your Mind Once And For All.
When you make up your mind that you are fully ready to engage yourself, great things will happen. It will be as if you will have tapped into a tremendous power that only the great men and women have ever known. Clarify in your mind exactly what you want. Make a promise with yourself that you will do whatever it takes. Not an “I’ll try” but an “I will!” “I must!” attitude.
“A determined soul will do more with a rusty monkey wrench than a loafer will accomplish with all the tools in a machine shop.” ~ Robert Hughes
“Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph; a beginning, a struggle and a victory.” ~ Ghandi
2) Be Careful With The Meaning You Attach To Setbacks.
Your evaluation of a setback is extremely important. If you believe the setback cannot be overcome then you will be doomed. You must reframe defeat. You need to have strong beliefs that your obstacles can be overcome. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall. It’s a matter of how many times you get up. How many times does a baby fall when they’re trying to learn to walk? Hundreds? Thousands? How many chances would you give your child before you finally said, “Okay, okay, that’s enough. Let’s give up on this walking stuff.” Your answer is “As many as it takes!” And this is why most of us walk. Because our parents or whoever it was that raised us said “I don’t care how many times my child falls, my child is going to walk.” Hang on to the motto “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Negative beliefs destroy determination while positive beliefs will pick you up and get you going again.
“The only good luck many great men ever had was being born with the ability and determination to overcome bad luck.”~ Channing Pollock
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it or work around it.” ~ Michael Jordan
3) Tell Your Mind To Shut Up If It Starts Playing Messages Of Self Doubt.
“You’re too young.” “You’re too old.” “You can’t do this because you’re a woman.” “You can’t do that because you’re a man.” “Because you’re disabled”; “Because you don’t have a college degree.” The list of reasons why things cannot be done is long and your brain can remind you of these if you don’t keep your mind focused on your desired outcome.
4) Watch Out For What Others Have To Say.
Your friends and family members will often remind you of the same doubts listed above. You can’t tell them to shut up like I’m suggesting you do to your own mind, but you must learn to dismiss and ignore their negative feedback if your goals and dreams are important to you. Their intentions may be sincere and well intended but they will poison your thoughts if you embrace their negative commentary. Just because others think your goal can’t be achieved doesn’t mean they are right or that they know what you’re truly capable of.
“I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.” ~ Thomas Edison
“Fight one more round. When your arms are so tired that you can hardly lift your hands, fight one more round. When your nose is bleeding and your eyes are black and you are so tired that you wish your opponent would crack you one over the jaw and put you to sleep, fight one more round. The man who always fights one more round is never whipped.”~ James Corbett (American professional boxer and a former World Heavyweight Champion)
5) Attach Strong Meaning To Keep On Keeping On.
What are your reasons for wanting to achieve your desires? Hold them tightly. Visual the attainment of your desire daily. Start your day with thoughts of your desire already accomplished. Continue throughout your day with the same thoughts and especially do so at the end of your day; as you prepare to go to sleep. It is good to let your subconscious mind carry the thoughts of success forward while your body rests.
“The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win.”~ Roger Bannister
“Become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.” ~ Lady Bird Johnson
6) Be Willing To Pay The Price.
Realize there will be a price to pay. Yes; there will benefits as well. The benefits can generally outweigh the costs but be aware that no one achieves their dreams without sacrifice. Success comes from hard work and giving up many of the comforts that most are unwilling to do without. I believe this is the part that chisels out a person’s greatness. It is a life changing experience to know that you gave something your all!
“Nothing is difficult to those who have the will.”~ Motto of the Dutch Poet’s Society
“The wise man puts all his eggs in one basket and watches the basket.” ~ Andrew Carnegie
7) What Is The Question That Drives You?
We all have a primary question that drives everything we do. It affects what you think about, how you talk and how you act. Some people question, “How can I make every one happy?” Others ask, “What is wrong with this situation?” While others ask, “What can I do to make this situation better?” Unfortunately, most people ask negative based questions that shackle their minds. Ask strong, empowering questions like
“What would a champion do?” “What would an honor student do?” “What would a great husband or wife do?” “How can I live this day to the fullest?”
“I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all of my heart.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.” ~ Confucius
Mark Webb is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice at South Georgia Psychiatric and Counseling Center in Valdosta. He is the author of How To Be A Great Partner and How To Argueproof Your Relationship. Read more of his articles www.TheRelationshipSpecialist.com