The Power of Determination: Balancing Persistence for Success

Harnessing Determination: Turning Persistence Into Positive Personality Traits

Determination is a common personality trait that exists on a spectrum; as such, it can produce observable differences in the brain that may cause us to feel or behave in certain ways. Some people are able to keep it in check and use it for their good and the good of those around them, while others may have trouble understanding how to manage this tendency. If you’re finding that excessive persistence is causing problems in your life or relationships, read on to learn about how you might be able to better balance this quality.

What is determination?

The dictionary definition of determination is “the quality of being firmly committed to a course of action and refusing to give up easily.” It’s usually used to describe someone who sometimes or often displays unwavering focus toward their own goals, instead believing that their view or way of doing something is the best or only correct way. Although this tendency often gets a bad rap, it can be positive or negative depending on the situation and the intensity with which it’s applied.

Understanding determination and its causes

Before seeking to change overly persistent tendencies, it can be helpful to understand why a person may default to inflexibility. Determination may stem from childhood experiences; for example, a child may mimic persistent behavior from a parent, or a caregiver may inadvertently reinforce such behavior by making excuses for defiance by labeling a child as headstrong.

In other cases, a person might tend to be determined because they’re resistant to change. They might fear stepping out of their comfort zone, or feel uncomfortable about challenging existing beliefs.

Others may be persistent because they crave control, leading them to be resistant to the perspectives of others in an effort to help themselves feel safer. If you’re having trouble coping with excessive determination in your life or are experiencing frustration as a result of an overly persistent loved one, you might try asking yourself if an emotion like this could be behind the behavior and try to approach the situation with empathy.

Potential advantages of determination

While the word determination may sometimes carry negative connotations when taken to extremes, the same qualities that make a person persistent can be beneficial. In fact, a 40-year longitudinal study found that children who consistently displayed persistent behaviors in their youth were more likely to have a higher income as adults.

There may be some advantages of determination, including:

• Perseverance: If a determined person has set their mind to accomplishing a goal, they’re unlikely to give in until their goal is reached. Note that in cases like these, “determination” is often referred to using words with positive connotations, such as “persistent,” “hard-working,” or “dedicated.”
• Strong personal convictions: Determined individuals often have strong convictions and are less likely to be swayed by peer pressure, enabling them to stand firm in their beliefs.
• Resilience against adversity: The tenacity associated with determination can translate into resilience, empowering individuals to withstand and recover from setbacks.
• Focus and commitment: Determination can enhance focus and commitment, driving individuals to pursue their objectives with unmatched dedication.
• Innovation and problem-solving: Sometimes, being determined about finding a solution can lead to innovative thinking and breakthroughs, as it forces individuals to look beyond conventional solutions.
• Clear boundaries and self-awareness: Determined people often have clear boundaries and a strong sense of self, which can lead to healthier relationships and self-respect.
• Motivation for self-improvement: In some contexts, determination can motivate individuals to improve themselves and their circumstances, refusing to accept complacency.
• Leadership and influence: Determined individuals can be compelling leaders, as their conviction and persistence inspire others to follow their vision and efforts.
• Decisiveness: Determination can foster a sense of decisiveness, as individuals are often clear about their wants, needs, and the direction they wish to take. This clarity can make decision-making processes quicker and more straightforward, reducing hesitation and the potential for procrastination.

When determination can be a problem

As with many traits, determination can also have its disadvantages—especially when it’s relied on too often or out of habit rather than out of dedication to a goal or cause.

• Difficulty in relationships: Excessive determination can be a difficult quality to live with in a partner, roommate, parent, child, or friend. Resistance to compromise or change can impair cooperation, which can lead to conflict. If inflexible determination is affecting your relationships, consider how you might instead practice open-mindedness.
• Workplace conflict: In a professional setting, rigid determination can lead to conflicts, impede teamwork, and hinder problem-solving efforts. It can cause frayed relationships with coworkers, which may have career consequences.
• Resistance to change: Overly determined individuals may struggle with change, making it hard for them to adapt to new situations or environments, which can be detrimental in rapidly changing contexts.
• Missed opportunities: An inflexibly determined attitude can lead to missed opportunities, whether in personal growth, careers, or new experiences, due to a reluctance to try new things or consider alternative viewpoints.

Tips for finding a healthy balance with determination

Determination can be healthy and helpful, but it also has the potential to be harmful when taken to the extreme. If you’re concerned about the level of inflexibility you’re exhibiting, the following tips may help you find a healthier balance.

1. Pay attention to what triggers this tendency in you

Which situations can you identify that reliably lead you to an overly determined attitude? Paying attention to what these situations are—perhaps by taking up journaling—can be a first step toward understanding your tendency toward inflexibility.

For example, do you find that you dig your heels in when someone tells you you’re wrong? When you feel blindsided by a new change? When someone explains something to you in a way that you interpret as condescending? Once you’ve identified the scenarios that seem to lead to your excessive determination, you might be better able to manage your response to them as they arise.

2. Identify the root cause

As part of your process of learning more about determination-inducing situations, you might also look for clues about the root cause of this behavior in yourself. It could relate to fear of change, embarrassment about making mistakes or being wrong, a tendency toward perfectionism, anxiety about the future, or a number of other interpretations, expectations, or feelings. Figuring out what may be driving this tendency could help you address it in healthier ways going forward.

3. Practice active listening

If excessive determination has been a key element of how you interact with others for a long time, you might find yourself defaulting to this attitude without really hearing out the person on the other side. In many cases, people just want to have their voices heard, and what they’re saying could potentially benefit you both. So next time you’re in a situation when you’d normally be inflexible, you might try to engage in active listening and truly hear the other person’s perspective. Not interrupting, having empathy, and asking clarification questions as needed can be useful parts of this practice.

How therapy can help turn determination into positive personality traits

If you suspect that a mental health condition may be contributing to a sense of excessive determination that’s interfering with your daily life, seeking the support of a therapist is usually a recommended next step. However, you don’t need to have symptoms of a mental health condition in order to pursue this type of support. A mental health professional can offer help to virtually anyone who is facing an emotional challenge or looking for help adjusting their cognitions, feelings or behaviors. If a tendency towards inflexibility is causing problems in your life or relationships, connecting with a counselor could help.

Seeking treatment from a mental health professional, particularly psychotherapy, is one of the most obvious ways to transform a “negative personality.” Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most widely used approach for addressing maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors such as excessive inflexibility and rigidity. Through CBT, individuals can develop greater self-awareness, learn new cognitive strategies to challenge unhelpful beliefs, and practice behavioral changes that lead to more adaptive responses in challenging situations. Over time, this process can transform persistence from a potential source of conflict into one of your greatest strengths.

Ultimately, determination is a powerful personality trait that—when harnessed thoughtfully—can lead to personal growth, success, and improved relationships. By understanding the causes behind excessive persistence and applying practical strategies such as active listening, self-reflection, and, when needed, professional therapy, it’s possible to strike a healthy balance that maintains your resolve without closing you off to others or new possibilities.

Remember, the goal is not to eliminate determination but to channel it constructively. Embracing flexibility alongside determination allows you to remain committed to your goals while navigating life’s complexities with empathy and open-mindedness. This balanced approach fosters resilience, cooperation, and a more fulfilling personal and professional life.