One way or another, everyone is determined. But how determined are you?

I have had the pleasure of meeting a lot of people over my life, both driven for success and those who have already acquired success. I have worked with many to create success, and I have worked with many, just to fail.

Behind it all there is one a single driver, determination. Not only is it important to possess the attribute of determination but, it is important to have it in high levels.

Giving It Your All

Determination comes in a variation of many different styles and personal definitions. For me, determination is giving it all that you have no matter the outcome and then using that experience to build a foundation to acquire new levels of determination and success. One cannot accept attempt as determination either.

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You can put forth effort and still not be determined.

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You can achieve success, and still not be determined. You can achieve many great things in life, and still not be determined.

I have met many college graduates, who are not determined. They earned their degree and have literally zero determination to excel past anything other than a handout.

I have met people who had a great idea, rounded up a team to execute, achieved success and then checked out undetermined to further their developments all because they found safe ground.

However, I have also met folks who have lost it all. They have lost friends, family, significant others, lifestyles, money and much more just to make something work that they believed in.

I have met people who have failed over and over again, but never gave up. The fire in their belly called determination only grew larger with each and every catastrophe.

Overcoming Obstacles

Envisioning and creating your future is not easy. There are inherent obstacles to overcome. In a sense, you have to position yourself for success of failure instead of settling for a safety zone.

When you have an opportunity placed in front of you that will only reward you with success or failure, then you know you have found your happiness. Your happiness is your passion, and passion is what will drive you.

You may have thought you knew what you were going to do or you may have thought you had a great idea. You may have also thought it was your passion and success was the only thing you could gain. Well, you were wrong. Opportunity does also come in the form of failure.

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When you encounter something you know has the potential to defeat or make you, your fire ignites. When you have a loosely swinging pendulum in front of you, then and only then have you found your resolve.

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When you encounter something you know has the potential to defeat or make you, your fire ignites. When you have a loosely swinging pendulum in front of you, then and only then have you found your resolve. When you have that, then you will see the true importance of determination. You will also see in time that the underlying driver is change (not success).

You have put it all on the line for success or failure, just to make a change. The change may be for yourself, but in many cases it is for someone else. Doing something for someone else will bring results, whether in a sense of a charity or business. Money and success just happens to come along with it.

Determination is a resolute purpose backed by the knowledge that you must face failure as you begin to create a better future for yourself and others. Find the fear, face fear, overcome and learn from fear and then start all over again.

This article has been edited and condensed.

Benjamin Surman is the founder of 1986 Ventures, a brand development and management firm. With a strong technical background and a keen sense of a design, Benjamin and his team not only launch (and acquire) simplified services but also create unique and necessary products. Connect with @1986ventures on Twitter.

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