Have you woken up thinking about the desire to do certain activities in your life, but you simply don’t follow through? For example, you want to exercise but you can’t get out of bed whether due to physical exhaustion, emotional burnout, or lack of interest. Determination is the capacity to keep going forward even when it’s difficult. It’s an internal force that drives a person to persist in their goals despite obstacles (real or products of our thoughts), difficulties, or frustrations.
From Humanistic Psychology, determination is related to self-actualization: the natural human drive to grow, overcome limitations, and reach one’s potential. Example: I decide to exercise to reduce symptoms of a physical condition.
From Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology, it’s associated with self-efficacy: the belief in one’s own capacity to achieve desired results. Example: a student who has failed their licensing exam more than once, analyzes their mistakes, changes and incorporates new study methods, and tries again.
From Positive Psychology, determination is defined as a combination of passion and perseverance to achieve a goal. Example: an athlete who trains to participate in a competition.
Developing determination is possible if you work on it consciously. Here are practical psychological recommendations to achieve it:
- Define clear and meaningful goals for yourself. Establish specific goals, with defined timeframes and efficient ways to reach them.
- Find your internal motivation. Talk to yourself and ask, why is this important to me?
- Work with your thoughts. Shift your perspective from negative to positive.
- Seek positive support. Find people who inspire you and give you encouragement.
- Manage stress. Use strategies like deep breathing, relaxation, grounding, among others.
- Celebrate progress and small achievements gained.
