The Benefits of Determination

Winners never quit and quitters never win. This axiom may seem trite, but just because it’s been used a lot doesn’t mean it’s not true. Whether you call it determination, grit, or old-fashioned hard work, the will to keep going is a vital component of success.

In fact, recent research suggests that having determination is more important than being smart.¹ That’s because your intelligence (and the rest of your talent) is an inherently passive quality, but determination is active. What does that mean? It means:

• Determination Is Transformative
  Your innate talents may create opportunities, but you have to put in the real work to make those opportunities a reality. Hard work is so important that, even if you have an average level of talent, you can still use determination to transform what you do have into success.
• Determination Keeps You Moving Forward
  Determination is about staying focused on a goal. And as long as you have a goal, you can create paths to that goal, moving ever closer to the success you want.
• Determination Overcomes Failure
  What happens if you run into obstacles on the path to your goal? You push through them or you blaze a new path. That’s the thing about determination; it helps you keep going regardless of what’s put in front of you. With determination, failure is just a diversion. It’s not an end.

If you’re worried that you don’t have enough determination, you can take steps to improve your grit. You can:

• Stay Focused on the Future
  Let the past guide you, but never let it consume you. The mistakes of yesterday should be lessons, not reasons for despair.
• Believe in Yourself
  You are in control of your life. Even in the most difficult moments, you still get to decide what to do. Believe in your ability to reach your goals.
• Celebrate Others
  Jealousy of others’ success will just slow you down. Instead of resenting what others achieve, see it as something to celebrate. After all, every time someone reaches their goal, it’s proof that goals are reachable. You can achieve yours, too, if you stay focused and positive.
• Have Smaller Goals Within the Larger Goal
  To keep yourself going, give yourself milestones you want to reach. In a lot of ways, reaching a big goal is like running a marathon. You can’t focus on all 26.2 miles of it at once. Instead, it’s better to focus on one mile at a time.
• Be Grateful
  Take time to recognize what you have instead of obsessing about what you don’t have. It will help you stay grounded and keep you thinking about the positive.

So, where can determination take you? If you’re thinking about advancing or even changing your career, then determination can significantly improve your chances of reaching your goal. And you can begin your march forward by using your determination to earn a degree.

Earning your bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree can help you gain the skills and qualifications you need to get ahead. And, these days, earning a degree doesn’t require you to live close to any colleges or universities. In fact, thanks to online education, you don’t even have to drive to a campus to attend a good college. That’s because you can take online courses from home or from anywhere else you have internet access. Plus, online classes aren’t typically held at preset times; in an online degree program, you can choose when in the day you attend class, which can give you the flexibility to earn a degree online while continuing to work full time.

As if those advantages weren’t already great enough, accredited online colleges also give you the same financial aid opportunities as most campus-based accredited universities. When you enroll in an online school with proper accreditation, you can apply for and receive everything from federal student aid to major college scholarships like the Gates Millennium scholarships.

Online learning plus your determination can put you on the path toward your career goals. If you’re already in the midst of a college search or are just beginning to put together a list of colleges you want to consider, don’t ignore online universities. The right one could be just the key you need.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees and certificate programs online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: www.fastcompany.com/3039181/why-determination-matters-more-than-smarts-in-getting-ahead

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.