Determination is the quality that makes you continue trying to do something, even when it becomes very difficult to do so. On the other hand, focus means paying special attention to one thing. It is refusing to be dissuaded and distracted from your destination or pursuit.
If you have a target, you must maintain a focus else you miss your target. Do not allow any circum-stance, difficulty or discouragement to distract you from your focus. Determine to maintain a focus and concentrate on your major goal or purpose. Make sure all your concentration is directed towards accomplishing a definite purpose. In maintaining a focus, do not get the central point out of focus. Keep the focus steady until the photograph is taken. That is, keep the concentration until the target is achieved. “No man can be successful in any sphere, if thoughts of failure and inferiority dominate his mind, and times, etc. no man can ultimately fail if he is determined to succeed”, (Arnold Walker)
MOTIVATION
Motivation is a very powerful tool for success. To achieve anything in life, you need to be motivated either by yourself, by others or both. Your forward Progress towards actualizing any goal must make motivation a lifelong habit. There are numerous benefits and rewards in Motivation. Motivation encourages focus and creativity. Motivation provides energizing excitement that keeps you going through times of discouragement, tough times, etc. Motivated people are energetic, they are winners they are magnetic, they are drawn to people and vice versa.
Motivation multiplies. People who are motivated “catch” the spark of motivation from the very motivated one.
A Motivated person is always tuned in to the object of his motivation. Finally, motivated people get more done. They move majestically and dynamically with a spring in their steps. They usually attack task with enthusiasm. They move with a can-do attitude along the way. They are always optimistic.
Therefore, motivate yourself to persevere. To persevere is to persist in doing something irrespective of the hardship, setbacks, discouragement and oppositions that make you wish to turn back and give up. Zig Zigler said,
“Motivation fuels that atti- nude that builds the confidence necessary to sustain the persistence.”
PERSISTENCE
Dogged persistence is one major thing that provides you the best insurance to success. For you to achieve your goal in any given area, for you to attain the height you are aspiring to, persistence is a MUST! Sheer persistence is sticking to your vision while in process, till your dream is actualized. It is one of the indispensable qualities that lead to success. The truth is, ,the longer you persist, the more focused you become on the objective you pursue.
Persistence enables you to go through various experiences, discouragements, and failures, but still maintain your focus and determination to achieve your dream; the cry of your heart. Consistence and persistence are among the most important stabilizing qualities that you can have. John Mason remarked, “It takes the hammer of persistence and patience to drive the nail of success.”
Calvin Coolidge added, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talents will not, nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not. The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and deter- mination alone are omnipotent. The slogan, “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
STRONG WILL- DETERMINATION
Persistence pays off. It is all about strong will and determination. To go on when it would seem to die. To seek and ever look towards THE DREAM and THE GLORY!
To look up hopefully with unquenchable faith, to something evermore to be. Having nostalgia, and a strong longing for something evermore to be. These are the qualities that, if you acquire, and are work-ing in you, will propel you to success. They guarantee the actualization of any dream. These are the things that, if any man does, he will surely ascend the hall of fame and greatness.
WHAT IS SUCCESS?
Success is not a destination. It is not a position or a status. Success is a process. It is a continuous process. Success is not a place to arrive at and feel relaxed and gratified. There is always an unconquered territory. Success breeds success, and nothing succeeds like success. Therefore, always maintain a focus and determination to achieve the first step of success in the process. This will encourage you to continue. Celebration of little successes serves as a lubricant for the grinds of life. Remember that obstacles are part of the goal- reaching process.
COMMITMENT
Commitment is the art of committing yourself to some- thing worthwhile, a worthy cause or something of utmost importance to you. John Mason puts it this way “choose a goal for which you are ready to exchange a piece of your life for”, Commitment is to work hard and give in all you have, your energy and time to do a particular thing or purpose. Without this virtue in you, you cannot go too far in the pursuit of any dream or goal. This is because without commitment, when you meet with any opposition, hardship, discouragement or difficulty you will, most certainly give up and not continue.
Commitment makes it possible for you to overcome hardship, obstacles and set- backs. It enables you to press on and persevere when the going gets tough. So, you need commitment, focus and determination to achieve whatever you want to achieve.
-C.C. Emeka
