Power of Determination

With the ink having mapped my views on several subjects over the past twenty odd days, I finally wrap up my 3^rd semester. It is the onset of some free quality time for self. To avenge boredom, I hop onto my laptop to fulfill my quota of movies. As a coincidence (I would like to say so), I happened to watch some of the most inspiring movies – ‘Rocky IV’, ‘Iqbal’ and ‘JJWS’. All these three movies had one thing in common – ‘Determination to achieve the Goal’. 

While in ‘Rocky IV’, it was avenging a friend’s loss of esteem and life; in ‘Iqbal’, it was the desire to represent the nation as a sportsperson (cricketer) and in ‘JJWS’, it was to win the race for fulfilling a father and brother’s dream. There is a great ‘power’ in the ‘determination’ to succeed. Determination is a great virtue and a trait of successful leaders. It is the element which runs in the bodies of these individuals like blood. It is the energy which enthuses them, boosts their morale and keeps them going. Great people like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Indira Gandhi, Andrew Carnegie, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Jobs and several others have been exemplary and the world has witnessed the influence they have had on the masses. So where does the determination come from? I believe it evolves from the belief in oneself and one’s ideas; also, a strong desire from within to achieve one’s dream/goal or commitment to a cause/belief. There is a strong connect between the belief that one has in his/her path taken and the level of determination. Determination gives individuals the power to stand by their decision against all the odds. The energy and spirit to ‘Never say Die’, ‘Never say Never’ and ‘No Pain’ emanates from this determination. So when the chips are down, conditions are deterrent to growth and people turn their back, it is the power of determination that keeps us in the game. This is what distinguishes greatness from mediocrity. The great leaders in all arenas have proved this to the world over, time and again. The vision is crystal clear and will power is unshakeable. That’s why great leaders are visionaries. They are determined to pursue their vision. Determination fuels the journey to success and one’s dream for a better tomorrow.

Today, world over what we are seeing is a lack of determination on part of our global leaders to lead and take decisions in the common interest of all. In the organizational context, organizations which have been led by individuals lacking the determination to lead have ceased to exist. Organizations in their ability should be determined to transform and evolve with the changing business, technological, social and political scenarios. They should be determined to the pursuit of their vision, mission and stay committed to their values.

Times may be tough and testing; odds may be against us; Murphy’s Law may work at its best and our best people may have deserted us but it’s our determination which keeps us ‘Going’. So let’s believe in our dreams. Let’s stand by them and let the power of determination marshal the cause.