The Power of Determination

Volume 1, February 2010

by David Lee

The American Dream can still be realized by anyone with the determination to succeed. For example, consider Arturo Torres, CEO of Play By Play Toys. After escaping Cuba and Castro, Torres came to the U.S. and started working for a hardware distribution company in Miami for 85 cents per hour. Every day on the way to work, he watched workers building a Pizza Hut. When it opened, he asked for a job. They wouldn’t give him one because “I couldn’t speak English”, he says. One day Torres was in the restaurant eating pizza and noticed it was very busy. “I just went and helped out in the kitchen, washing dishes”, Torres tells us. Soon the store hired Torres and before long he became the manager and then the owner. Over the years, Arturo Torres was able to become the largest Pizza Hut franchisee and eventually sold back all of his franchises to Pepsi for $125 million dollars.

It has been said, “To dream anything you want to dream – that is the beauty of the human mind. To do anything you want to do – that is the strength of the human will. To determine for yourself to test your limits – that is the courage to succeed.” Kemmons Wilson, founder of Holiday Inns

Here are a few observations on the power of determination:

Determination Raises The Stakes In Life – Rich De Vos once said, ‘The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little.’ Determination doesn’t just keep you going during difficult times, it allows you to raise the stakes in life. Determined people almost always strive for bigger dreams, greater challenges, and higher purposes. Set your sights high and determine for yourself to reach the stars. Ask yourself these questions: Do my current dreams and goals challenge me – or am I coasting? What life-purpose so drives me that I am willing to give up everything in my determined pursuit of it? If the stakes in your life aren’t that high, make the decision to raise your sights and muster the determination to see it through!
Determination Reflects Your Will To Succeed – Some people may succeed because they are destined to, but most people succeed because they are determined to. Determination has been described as the inner drive to achieve. All time boxing great, Muhammad Ali said, “Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They also have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”
Determination Makes The Impossible Possible – The ‘Impossible’ has been defined this way: “What nobody can do until someone determines to do it.” Determined people possess the stamina and courage to pursue their ambitions despite criticism, ridicule or unfavorable circumstances. In fact, discouragement usually spurs them on to greater things. David McNally, in Even Eagles Need A Push, commented, “We can learn to soar only in direct proportion to our determination to rise above the doubt and transcend the limitations."

Today, determine what your goals are, and do all that is in your power to achieve them. Remember that "Success is not a destination, it's a journey." Zig Enjoy your journey, this week. David