Showing up when you fail, are discouraged, or tired = Success

Wear something, buy a widget to meditate on, or get a plant in green-yellow to inspire determination.

Determination is a word that we use to describe moving in a fixed direction, toward a goal. It's the word used when you strive for that win, whatever that is for you. Tenacity often linked with determination, is not letting go of what we think is the best path to reach the set objective, to the point that we could lose focus on the goal in the process or get distracted wasting time and resources. When I was younger I had the word tenacious applied to me often. I wasn't mad at that description. My tenacity gave me the opportunity to be my own boss and I have continued to do so for more than half of my life.

At 58 I have the privilege to see my life in

retrospect quite broadly. The average life span in the USA is currently 76 years old, I suspect with today's new healthcare laws for women, in many states, this average will go down. As a quinquagenarian, I realize that my time is almost up. Now I could go before that or after, no one ever knows, but knowing that statistically, I am in the fourth quarter of my life truly gives me a different perspective than I had at 30 or 40.

Tenacity is no longer my thing. I realize that it is far better to be determined. Determination is showing up every day and being there minute by minute even IF you have made a mistake or feel like a failure. It's not quitting when you are tired or discouraged. Determination is the ability to stay focused despite the obstacles that are set before you without creating obstacles. Determined people are aware of their surroundings, pause to refocus, know when to take a breath, and then move on. Tenacity is turbulent energy that can cause one to be spread too thin, and have too many projects going on "for the goal" yet this turbulence causes relational and personal conflict. My personal example of this was starting a Full-Service Spa when my love and passion is color and makeup, causing turbulence and hardship. Then instead of learning from that mistake and being quite skilled in aesthetics, pressed by clients, and wanting the revenue to get to the next level, reintroduced smaller scale Spa services which just diverted my focus and energy. Finding myself stuck in a position that ultimately drained the resources needed to fulfill my true goal. Tenacity leads one to believe that they have endless energy and resources until they don't.

They always say that when you are older you look back and see what you wish you had done or not done. I wish I realized that being determined is far more effective than being tenacious. I'm no longer trying to prove anything. I'm good. Frankly, I'm tired of trying to convince people that I can help them or that I know my color system is one of the best out there if not the best. That when they get their colors revealed with the ebhues™ method they don't have to have their colors redone elsewhere, and also have a complete color library of cosmetics, interior, exterior, and personal brand shopping swatches to choose from.

Today I live my life determined to do the right thing, even when it's uncomfortable. Often that means I have to apologize or say the thing that everyone else is thinking and won't say. I consciously love the hardest, fight for what I believe in, stand for others that need a voice, and stand with those that need more voices. I am determined to be the best I can be every day and when I am not I accept that I am human, perhaps tired, and may possibly need a time out. I will admit my flaws and my foibles and embrace who am I with all my flaws and foibles.

What does determination mean to you? Have you been so tenacious that you missed the goal?

Sometimes success requires re-evaluating the goal. Don't let ego get in your way. Be determined to be the best you, have fun at your work, have love and time in your life, give back, and be content with what you have at this moment.

Appreciate yourself for all your accomplishments even the small ones as small things are the stepping stones for great gains. Give yourself a pat on the back today. Tell yourself you are wonderful. Wear something, buy a widget to meditate on, or get a plant in green-yellow to inspire determination.

Image by Ws