Rebuilding Your Determination When You’re Ready to Give Up

The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination. ~Tommy Lasorda

Call it being strong-minded, tenacious, or just downright stubborn, the bottom line is, having a healthy dose of determination is often the difference between success and falling short of reaching your goals.

Yet, it’s not always easy to sustain that fighting spirit. Often times, we get discouraged by the things other people say, the general “busyness” of our daily lives, or even the internal voice in our own head telling us maybe we’re just not cut out for whatever it is we’re trying to do.

Well, I’m here to tell you, don’t give up! It’s not very often that you can keep up your high level of enthusiasm that you have when you first start a project or set a goal. Quite honestly, to keep going full throttle day after day can be downright exhausting!

It’s important to realize you don’t have to push yourself to accomplish your entire goal in one day. Expect that you will get tired and need breaks from big projects now and then. It’s okay to set them aside; just don’t toss that goal in the trash permanently, because there is hope! You can regain your determination and ride that wave of enthusiasm once again. So before you discard your goal as some silly, unachievable aspiration, try these suggestions:

• Revisit your vision. Go back to the beginning and rediscover your vision for the future. If you could wave a magic wand, what would success look like? Let that vision reinvigorate your determined mind.
• Create a plan. Revise the old one or devise a completely new one, but definitely put together some type of road map so you can see how to get to your final destination. This way, you can take breaks as needed, but pick up right where you left off. Don’t forget to incorporate small rewards along the way to celebrate success. This can renew your motivation to keep going.
• Enlist help. Whether you team up with other family members or decide to find a support group more focused on your needs, sometimes you need encouragement from others to help you see the worthiness of your goal. There is strength in numbers, and that strength can help you recharge and build up that determination once again.
• Leave something behind. We are all guilty of taking on too much sometimes, especially initially, when our enthusiasm is high and we feel confident we can handle it. But when life starts getting in the way and we lose traction, all of our responsibilities and commitments can weigh up down and become a major roadblock. Delegate, simplify, and ask for help. You’ll not only feel better physically and emotionally, but you’ll have more time to focus on what’s really important to you, and that will help your motivation gain some momentum.

A dip in determination to complete a project does not have to mean the end to pursuing a goal. It may just be a sign that you need to take a breather. Take the time to step back remember your true vision, rethink your plan, find some help, and lighten your load. This will help you gain a new perspective and refill that well of enthusiasm that convinced you to start the project in the first place.

Whatever you do, don’t give up completely! Remember that determination is the key to success, so keep reaching, keep driving forward, and have faith in yourself that you can accomplish anything you set out to do.

photo credit: Derek K. Miller via photopin cc