The formula for determination

If you have an objective in your life, there is something that is true, no matter what it is: you are not living or enjoying it today.

Why is this important? It is common that as soon as you set a goal in life or you start to pursue your dream, somehow you start to feel you are that already.

This is good, since it gives you the motivation, but some people falls into that trap and they stop to endeavor, as they think they are what they would want to be.

When you keep the fact you are not living that objective yet, you can move on by planning and creating that dream, bringing into your reality.

There are many techniques you can use, however no matter which ones you choose to do it, there is a common virtue, quality or value that will be useful for you and without which, it will be difficult to fulfill your goal: determination.

It means the energy that makes you move forward, despite obstacles, difficulties and, quite often, loss of interest. It helps you in critical moments of your self-progress and it gives you the boost you need.

However, to keep determined, particularly with long-term goals and when the road ahead is bumpy, there is a formula that may help you. As any formula, you may work on the factors, making it easier.

First, it is essential to understand that:

DETERMINATION is DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL to FAITH and SELF-CONFIDENCE

In other words, the more you have faith in the goal and you trust your talents, skills and whoever you are as a person, the easier will be to experience determination.

 

The formula

DETERMINATION = (CLARITY) + CONCENTRATION + SELF-EMPOWERMENT

Determination comes as a result of (first) having clarity in relation to your goal (and here, the order of the factor is very important). Then focus or concentration will keep you moving towards it, but due to obstacles and distractions, you do need to empower the self in many ways.

 

Although it does not mean you will fulfill your goal, to keep determination is probably half of the effort towards your objectives.

There is clarity during uncertain times - Reason 56

Uncertainty generates doubts and questioning.  As a coping mechanism, people often complain and regret, which don’t contribute much to change anything that is happening.

But there are people who are reflecting on it: an interesting article welcomes people to the age of uncertainty[1] and it tries to explain the reasons for what the author calls the current mood of uncertainty and it explores the theories behind them.

By drawing on some current situations as a base and how those same situations are now passed, it observes how they are still a source of uncertainty.  A conclusion is that uncertainty does not end for a normal person, not even after reflection… it just develops and turns into something else.

For a leader, there is clarity no matter how uncertain the world may be, or the microcosms in which the leader lives.  That clarity comes from his or her clarity in relation to their capacity of leadership, particularly leading the self and a leader turns uncertainty into an adventure and an opportunity to change things around.

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

 

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[1] Welcome to the new age of uncertainty was written by Stuart Jeffries in The Guardian, on July 26^th 2016.   https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/26/new-age-of-uncertainty-brexit-trump-future-world-flux

No problem

One of the biggest challenges a translator faces is to be faithful to the one he or she is translating. Even when the translator does not agree. A short time ago, I was translating a friend's lecture in which he was making a strong statement: THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS. But...

As a coach, I've learnt to avoid certain words, among them... Yes! Exactly: PROBLEMS. But...

But, what is it so bad in a problem, really?

In fact, between using words like challenges, opportunities for improvement or lessons, I believe the word PROBLEM is much more effective in terms of motivation. Why?

A problem is anything that demands a solution: there are math problems, problems in terms of food, sleep and harmony in relationships.

The key word for PROBLEM is implicit: SOLUTION. A problem ALWAYS have a solution, otherwise it is not a problem...

If there is a challenge, sometimes the solution is far off as it depends on the individual's skills. There can be opportunities of improvement, but they vanish after a while and even though we are taught some lessons, it is not sure we will learn anything.

By having a problem, there is the mental clarity that THERE IS ALWAYS A SOLUTION. Maybe the person will need to learn some skills or develop certain capacities, but the solution is there. Better, in the school of life you can copy from others - so, if someone else has solved the same problem, just adapt her or his solution to your own life.

I suggest you to start to see problems in another way, as a circumstance that you will be able to solve FOR SURE, as its solution already exists.

No problem...