Passion and Determination

How badly do you want to succeed in life? Let’s look at the importance of passion and determination in getting what you want.

Do you know anyone who is afraid to want something very badly for fear that they may be terribly disappointed if they don’t get it? Maybe you feel this way sometimes yourself. This kind of negative thinking can sabotage your efforts and create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Many years ago, a young man, who wanted to become a lawyer, wrote to Abraham Lincoln for advice. Lincoln replied, “If you are resolutely determined to make a lawyer of yourself, the thing is more than half done already. Always bear in mind that your resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing.”

You see, one of the qualities that separates many successful people from extremely talented people who fail, is the sheer force of their will, their passion, and their overwhelming desire. Tommy Lasorda (of U.S. baseball fame) has been fond of saying, “Races are not won by the fastest athletes; fights are not won by the strongest men. But the races are won, and the fights are won, by those who want to win most of all.”

Willpower may not always override talent, but it is the factor that causes people of ordinary ability to accomplish extraordinary things. Another quote from the 93-year old Mr. Lasorda: “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” You see, the challenge is in your mindset.

If your goal, or your dream, is strong enough to generate your passion, are you willing to change the way you think, in order to achieve it? Is your thinking flexible enough to take a thorough exploration through how you do things today, how you think today, and then make changes in perspective to get you on the road to where you want to go?