The Unstoppable Trio:  How Determination, Perseverance and Self-Confidence Make the ‘Impossible’ Possible – Part 1

Determination

There are few people who have achieved as much success in the sport of auto racing as racecar driver Mario Andretti.  A member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, Mario Andretti is one of the most successful Americans in the history of racing. He is one of only two drivers to have won races in FormulaOne, Daytona 500, Indy Car, the World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR. He also won Formula 5000.  In all, Andretti had 109 wins across all major circuits. So, he knew a thing or two about what it took to succeed.  When discussing success, Andretti once said, “Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”

Andretti spoke of determination as key to success.  That makes sense.  Determination is the unyielding commitment to achieve a specific objective. It is a staunch focus that fuels one’s pursuit and an inner fire that pushes one forward even when faced with setbacks and discouragement.  Determination is unwavering and steadfast.  Unlike ambition, which is a broad desire for achievement, determination narrows that focus to a specific goal and fuels the tenacity needed to reach it.

While there is no single test to measure determination, it manifests through observable behaviors. Some key characteristics that point to a highly determined individual include:

• Relentless focus – They maintain a laser-sharp focus on their goal, undistracted by temporary detours or challenges.
• Action-oriented – They don’t just dream.  They consistently take action towards their goals, developing strategies and implementing them with an unflagging commitment.
• Resilience in the face of failure – For those who are determined, setbacks won’t deter them. Instead, they learn from mistakes, adapt their approach, and keep pushing forward.
• Embrace challenges – They view obstacles as opportunities for growth, not insurmountable roadblocks.

Determination is Invaluable for Difficult Tasks

So why is determination invaluable when tackling difficult, or even impossible, tasks?  There are five reasons.  When tackling any challenging task, determination helps to:

1. Overcome obstacles – The path to any significant achievement is rarely smooth. With unwavering determination, however, it is possible to navigate obstacles with the belief that they are temporary hurdles, not permanent roadblocks.
2. Sustain effort: Difficult tasks often require sustained effort over extended periods. Determination fuels the internal fire that maintains momentum, even when the going gets tough. Determination helps stay the course. The path to success is rarely linear. Determination fuels the motivation to keep going even when faced with setbacks and frustrations.
3. Provide motivation in the face of doubt – It’s natural to experience moments of doubt when faced with a seemingly impossible task. Determination, however, opens the path to push past doubts and maintain focus on the ultimate goal.
4. Overcome inertia – The initial steps towards a challenging goal can feel daunting. Determination provides the initial push to break through inertia and take action.
5. Fuel innovation – When faced with roadblocks, someone determined will seek creative solutions, pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities.

Determination in Action

History is brimming with tales of individuals who displayed unwavering determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Let’s delve into a few impressive stories of dogged determination.  Here are three great examples.

1.  Diana Nyad – Swimming Against the Tide

Diana Nyad made a name for herself as an incredible American marathon swimmer in the 1970s.  Notable achievements included a record-setting swim around Manhattan Island in 1975.  She achieved that in seven hours and 57 minutes, breaking a record that had stood for nearly half a century.

Then she embarked on a seemingly impossible challenge:  swimming from Havana, Cuba to Key West, FL.  No one in the world had ever done it.  The vision of that crossing entered her imagination at the age of nine.  She spent her childhood playing on the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  Then, when the Cuban Revolution erupted in 1959, Cuba became a looming place of mystique to everyone in South Florida. That island that was so well-known became forbidden to all U.S. citizens overnight.  On her website, Nyad recalls that she was on the beach with her mother, searching the horizon for a glimpse of Cuba.  Her mom pointed out across the sea and said to her “There. Havana is right out there. It’s so close that you, you little swimmer, you could actually swim there.”  The thought of swimming all the way to Cuba never left her.

Nyad set her mind on becoming the first person to swim straight from Cuba to Florida without a protective shark cage.  Her journey to achieve this goal was not smooth.  She made her first attempt in 1978, at the age of 28 and still in the prime of her life.  For Nyad, the daunting task was not just about physical endurance and physical challenges.  It was also about overcoming a trauma that happened to her in childhood and still haunted her.  After 40 hours in the water, bad weather forced her to stop.  In that first attempt, she failed.  That disappointment devastated her.  Nyad moved on from marathon swimming.  She became a sports journalist, wrote books, and became a motivational speaker.  But, deep down, she still had this BIG, seemingly unachievable, dream.

Thirty years later, when most people are thinking about retirement, Nyad could not forget her dream.  She not only wanted to do the seemingly impossible (as no one else had succeeded where she had failed three decades earlier), she also wanted to prove that age was just a number.  So, she reattempted the swim.  She failed again.  She then tried again and failed again.  No one thought it could be done, and certainly not by a woman in her 60s.  Each failure was expensive and physically punishing to her body.  She was stung by jellyfish, suffered hypothermia, lost weight and experienced terrible sunburns.  She was urged to quit by everyone.  Nonetheless, she remained committed her goal even when no one believed in her.  On her fifth try, she did it!  She swam for almost 53 hours and on September 2, 2013, at the age of 64, became the first person to complete this treacherous 110-mile journey without a shark cage.  At long last, she stumbled up onto Smathers Beach in Key West over thirty-five years after swimming across that epic ocean between Cuba and Florida.  Diana Nyad’s story is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to pursue a dream.  Nothing is impossible and it’s never too late if you are determined. 

2. Nelson Mandela – An Example of Unrelenting Determination

Nelson Mandela, the iconic leader who fought against apartheid in South Africa, spent 27 years imprisoned for his beliefs. However, his determination never wavered. He used his time in captivity to read, strategize, and maintain his commitment to justice. Upon his release, Mandela led the fight for racial equality, becoming a beacon of hope and ultimately achieving a seemingly impossible dream.

3. Walt Disney – From Bankruptcy to Animation Empire

Walt Disney, the visionary behind the iconic Mickey Mouse and countless other beloved characters, is a testament to the power of unwavering determination. Facing financial ruin early in his career, Disney persevered through bankruptcy and numerous rejections. He never lost sight of his vision and continued pushing the boundaries of animation. His relentless focus and unwavering determination ultimately led to the creation of the Walt Disney Company, a global entertainment powerhouse.

Cultivating Determination

The good news is that determination is not a fixed trait.  It can be cultivated and strengthened through conscious effort. Here are some ways to develop unwavering resolve:

• Set SMART Goals.  Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals provide a clear roadmap and milestones to celebrate, keeping you motivated on the path to your ultimate objective.
• Visualize Success.  Regularly picture yourself achieving your goal.  This can strengthen your determination and increase feelings of confidence.
• Break Down Challenges.  Large tasks can feel overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, more manageable steps, celebrating milestones along the way.
• Find Role Models.  Surround yourself with positive influences and stories of people who have overcome obstacles through sheer determination.
• Embrace a Growth Mindset.  Believe that your abilities can improve through effort and practice.

Success stories such as Disney, Mandela and Nyad illustrate that determination serves as the driving force behind achieving seemingly impossible feats. By setting clear goals, fostering a growth mindset, finding inspiration from those who have gone before us, and consistently taking action, we can all develop unwavering determination.

US President Calvin Coolidge once said, “Nothing in this world can take the place of determination and perseverance. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”  Next week, we will look at the other key trait Coolidge mentioned besides determination:  perseverance.   Stay tuned.

Quote of the Week

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

© 2024, Keren Peters-Atkinson. All rights reserved.

The post The Unstoppable Trio:  How Determination, Perseverance and Self-Confidence Make the ‘Impossible’ Possible – Part 1 first appeared on Monday Mornings with Madison.