From the Latin determinatĭo, determination is the action and effect of determining (making a resolution, fixing the terms of something, signaling something for some effect). For example: “The Mexican coach will announce his determination tomorrow after the striker’s disciplinary offense”, “The president’s determination was to solve the conflict without the use of force”, “The date and time have yet to be confirmed, but the decision has been made ”.
The concept is also used as a synonym for courage or daring: “If he was able to get there, it was thanks to his determination and courage”, “Everything is possible with determination”, “The runner showed his determination by continuing to compete with a flat tire”, “The candidate was not determined to get to the bottom of the matter”.
Determination can be associated with value. See Abbreviation Finder for acronyms related to Determination.
The importance of determination
Acting with determination is one of the secrets of success in life, and this can be applied in any aspect. Throughout childhood, given the influence that our elders have on us, it is almost impossible to make decisions and choose our own path; Although the personality of each one contributes unique ingredients, we are subject to so many rules that it is not normal to step aside and redirect life.
However, as the limitations lessen and we begin to enjoy greater freedom, it is up to us to choose the path we wish to travel. This is very tempting for most teens, who want to “break free” once and for all and become masters of their own lives. But so much space is useless if we don’t know what to do with it. It is then that determination plays a crucial role in development.
The most determined people always seem to have their goals very clear. And its magnitude does not matter exactly, but rather that they are present, like beacons on the horizon that guide us so that each step taken makes sense. This last term, ‘sense’, is very relevant in this context, since determination is largely orientation towards a particular point, which we can reach if we make a series of well-defined efforts.
Determination is essential to overcome difficulties.
Challenges to face
One of the greatest enemies of determination is distraction, which sometimes tempts us in the most important moments of our training as students, for example. We can start with clear ideas, with the goal of passing an exam or completing a thesis by a particular date, but if we get carried away by distraction throughout the process, we may throw all our work away .
That is why it is recommended to “feed” the determination with continuous monitoring, just as it happens with an interpersonal relationship. Things won’t always turn out the way we hope, but the most important thing is to know how to get up before it’s too late, look in the right direction again and keep moving forward.
Self-determination and determinism
The autonomy or independence of a person, a group, a community or a nation is known as self -determination. By having self-determination, you have the capacity or power to make determinations on your own, without having to ask for permission or be accountable. Therefore, the right to self-determination is the right of a people to choose its form of government and to structure itself freely, without external interference.
Determinism, on the other hand, is the philosophical doctrine that physical events are causally determined by a chain of cause and consequence.
It is possible to distinguish between strong determinism (which does not believe in any genuinely chance or random events and therefore holds that the future is potentially predictable from the present) and weak determinism (which admits the influence of unpredictable events).