What Is Determination? With Definition, Examples and Tips
What Is Determination?
Determination is the ability to stay committed to a goal and continue working toward it despite obstacles, delays, mistakes or discouragement.
A determined person keeps going when progress is difficult. They may face rejection, criticism, failure, pressure or uncertainty, but they still look for a way forward.
Determination can appear in many areas of life. A student may show determination by studying consistently for a difficult exam. An employee may show determination by improving a weak skill to qualify for a promotion. A business owner may show determination by continuing to improve a product after early setbacks.
In simple terms, determination means deciding that a goal matters enough to keep trying.
Why Determination Matters
Determination matters because many meaningful goals are not easy to achieve.
Most careers require effort over time. You may need to learn new skills, handle difficult feedback, work through slow progress, solve unexpected problems or compete for opportunities. Without determination, it is easy to stop when the first challenge appears.
Determination can help you:
Stay focused on long-term goals
Continue after setbacks
Improve your skills
Handle stress more effectively
Complete difficult projects
Build confidence through effort
Stay motivated when results take time
Show reliability to managers and coworkers
Develop stronger problem-solving habits
Determination does not remove challenges. It helps you keep moving through them.
Determination in the Workplace
In the workplace, determination is a valuable soft skill because it affects how employees respond to pressure, difficulty and responsibility.
A determined employee may continue researching solutions when a project becomes complicated. They may keep improving after receiving constructive feedback. They may volunteer for challenging tasks because they want to grow. They may stay focused during busy periods instead of giving up or becoming careless.
Employers often value determination because it shows that a person can take ownership of goals. Determined employees are more likely to finish what they start, improve over time and contribute to team success.
For example, a sales representative may show determination by continuing to contact leads after several rejections. A designer may show determination by revising a project multiple times until it meets the client’s needs. A manager may show determination by supporting a team through a difficult transition.
Determination vs. Motivation
Determination and motivation are related, but they are not the same.
Motivation is the feeling that encourages you to begin or continue doing something. It may come from excitement, rewards, interest, recognition or personal goals.
Determination is the commitment that helps you continue even when motivation is low.
For example, you may feel motivated on the first day of learning a new skill. But after several weeks, the work may feel repetitive or difficult. Determination is what helps you keep practicing even when the original excitement fades.
Motivation can start the process. Determination helps sustain it.
Determination vs. Perseverance
Determination and perseverance are also closely related.
Determination is the decision or mindset to reach a goal. Perseverance is the continued action that follows that decision.
For example, deciding that you will improve your public speaking skills shows determination. Practicing every week, asking for feedback and speaking at small events shows perseverance.
You can think of determination as the inner commitment and perseverance as the repeated behavior.
Both are important for long-term success.
Determination vs. Stubbornness
Determination is not the same as stubbornness.
A determined person stays committed to the goal but remains willing to change the method. A stubborn person may refuse to adapt even when the current approach is not working.
For example, if a marketing campaign fails, a determined marketer studies the data, adjusts the message and tests a new approach. A stubborn marketer may continue using the same campaign without learning from the results.
Determination includes flexibility. It means staying focused on the outcome while being open to better strategies.
Benefits of Determination at Work
1. Helps You Reach Long-Term Goals
Many professional goals take time. Getting promoted, becoming a manager, changing careers, building a portfolio or mastering a technical skill may require months or years of effort.
Determination helps you stay committed during the slow parts of the process.
Instead of expecting instant results, determined people understand that progress often comes from repeated action.
2. Improves Problem-Solving
Determination encourages people to keep looking for solutions.
When a problem appears, a determined person may research alternatives, ask for advice, test different methods or break the problem into smaller parts.
This can lead to better problem-solving because the person does not stop at the first failed attempt.
3. Builds Confidence
Confidence often grows through action.
When you continue working through challenges, you prove to yourself that you can handle difficult situations. Each small success can strengthen your belief in your own ability.
Determination helps you build confidence because it turns effort into evidence.
4. Encourages Skill Development
Determination can help you improve skills that do not come naturally at first.
For example, you may struggle with data analysis, public speaking, writing, leadership or time management. A determined mindset helps you practice, seek feedback and keep improving instead of deciding too quickly that you are “not good at it.”
Skill growth usually requires patience and repetition.
5. Helps You Handle Setbacks
Everyone faces setbacks at work.
A project may fail. A client may reject a proposal. A manager may give difficult feedback. A job application may not lead to an interview.
Determination helps you see setbacks as part of the process rather than the end of the process.
6. Makes You More Reliable
Determined people are often seen as reliable because they follow through.
They do not abandon responsibilities easily. They communicate when problems arise. They look for ways to finish the work or adjust the plan.
Reliability is valuable in almost every role because teams depend on people who can be trusted to complete important tasks.
7. Supports Leadership
Leaders often need determination because they are responsible for guiding others through challenges.
A determined leader can help a team stay focused during uncertainty, respond to setbacks and continue working toward shared goals.
Determination can also inspire others. When team members see a leader remain calm, focused and committed, they may feel more confident continuing as well.
Examples of Determination
Example 1: Learning a New Skill
An employee wants to become a data analyst but has limited experience with spreadsheets and SQL. Instead of giving up, they take online courses, practice after work, ask a coworker for feedback and complete small data projects.
After several months, they build enough confidence to apply for an internal analytics role.
This is determination because the employee continues learning even when the skill is difficult at first.
Example 2: Working Toward a Promotion
A customer service representative wants to become a team lead. Their manager says they need stronger coaching and reporting skills.
The employee creates a development plan, asks to shadow team leads, volunteers to train new hires and practices preparing weekly performance summaries.
This shows determination because the employee accepts feedback and takes action toward a clear goal.
Example 3: Completing a Difficult Project
A marketing team is preparing a major campaign, but several deadlines are missed because assets are delayed. One team member creates a revised timeline, communicates priorities, helps organize tasks and keeps the project moving.
The campaign launches later than originally planned, but the team avoids a larger failure.
This shows determination because the employee stays focused and solution-oriented during pressure.
Example 4: Handling Rejection
A job seeker applies to multiple roles but receives several rejection emails. Instead of stopping, they review their resume, practice interview answers, ask for feedback and continue applying to better-matched roles.
Eventually, they receive interviews and improve their performance.
This is determination because the job seeker treats rejection as information, not a reason to quit.
Example 5: Building a Business
A small business owner launches a new service, but early sales are slow. They speak with customers, improve the offer, test new pricing, update the website and keep refining the message.
Over time, the business gains more clients.
This shows determination because the owner adapts without abandoning the goal.
Traits of Determined People
Goal-Oriented
Determined people usually have clear goals.
They know what they are working toward, which helps them make better decisions. A goal gives effort a direction.
A goal-oriented person may set weekly targets, track progress and measure results.
Persistent
Determined people continue after difficulties.
They may feel discouraged, but they do not let discouragement control every decision. They keep trying, adjust when needed and look for another way forward.
Self-Motivated
Determined people do not always need external pressure to act.
They can take responsibility for their own progress. They may create routines, set deadlines or find ways to stay accountable.
Flexible
Determination works best with flexibility.
Determined people understand that the first plan may not work. They are willing to learn, change tactics and try new methods while still staying committed to the goal.
Patient
Many goals take time.
Determined people are usually willing to work through slow progress. They understand that improvement may happen gradually.
Resilient
Resilience helps determined people recover after setbacks.
Instead of seeing failure as proof that they should stop, they use it as a chance to adjust and continue.
Focused
Determined people know how to focus on what matters.
They may still face distractions, but they return to the goal and prioritize the next useful step.
How To Show Determination at Work
You can show determination at work through your behavior, communication and follow-through.
Here are practical ways to demonstrate determination:
Set clear goals for your role.
Take ownership of difficult tasks.
Follow through on commitments.
Ask for feedback and apply it.
Stay calm during setbacks.
Look for solutions instead of only pointing out problems.
Keep learning new skills.
Complete work even when it becomes challenging.
Support team goals during stressful periods.
Communicate progress regularly.
Determination is often shown through consistency. You do not need to make dramatic gestures. Small, reliable actions over time can show that you are committed.
How To Improve Determination
1. Set Clear Goals
Determination is easier when you know what you are working toward.
Instead of setting vague goals like “be more successful,” create specific goals.
For example:
Improve my presentation skills by practicing once a week.
Apply to five relevant jobs this month.
Complete a certification by the end of the quarter.
Increase customer response speed by 20%.
Clear goals make it easier to measure progress.
2. Break Goals Into Smaller Steps
Large goals can feel overwhelming.
Breaking them into smaller steps makes them easier to manage. Each completed step can also build confidence.
For example, if your goal is to change careers, smaller steps might include researching the field, taking one course, updating your resume, creating a portfolio and applying to entry-level roles.
Small steps help determination become action.
3. Build a Routine
Determination becomes easier when useful actions become habits.
A routine reduces the need to decide what to do every day. For example, you might spend 30 minutes each morning learning a skill or review your weekly goals every Friday.
A routine helps you keep moving even when motivation changes.
4. Track Your Progress
Tracking progress can help you stay encouraged.
You can track completed tasks, skills learned, applications sent, projects finished, workouts completed or feedback received.
Progress tracking reminds you that your effort is producing movement, even if the final result has not arrived yet.
5. Learn From Setbacks
Setbacks are easier to handle when you treat them as information.
Ask yourself:
What happened?
What can I control?
What did I learn?
What should I change next time?
What is the next useful step?
This approach turns failure into feedback.
6. Surround Yourself With Supportive People
The people around you can influence your determination.
Supportive coworkers, mentors, friends or managers can encourage you, offer advice and help you stay accountable.
You do not need everyone to understand your goal. But having a few people who support your progress can make challenges easier to handle.
7. Strengthen Your Self-Discipline
Self-discipline helps you act even when you do not feel motivated.
You can improve self-discipline by setting deadlines, reducing distractions, planning your day and keeping small promises to yourself.
The more often you follow through, the stronger your sense of control becomes.
8. Stay Flexible
Being determined does not mean using the same plan forever.
If something is not working, adjust it. Try a new strategy, ask for help, change your timeline or learn a missing skill.
Flexibility helps determination stay productive instead of becoming stubborn.
9. Celebrate Small Wins
Small wins matter because they build momentum.
If you only celebrate the final result, you may feel discouraged for a long time. Recognizing small progress can help you stay motivated.
Examples of small wins include finishing a course module, improving a process, receiving positive feedback, completing a difficult task or making one useful connection.
10. Remember Your Reason
Determination becomes stronger when you know why the goal matters.
Your reason may be career growth, financial stability, personal pride, helping your family, supporting a team, building confidence or creating new opportunities.
When work becomes difficult, reconnecting with your reason can help you continue.
Determination in Different Career Situations
Determination During a Job Search
A job search can test determination because rejection is common.
You may send many applications before receiving an interview. You may interview and not receive an offer. You may need to revise your resume multiple times.
Determination during a job search means continuing to improve your approach.
You can show determination by:
Tracking applications
Tailoring your resume
Practicing interviews
Networking consistently
Learning from feedback
Applying to better-matched roles
Staying organized
A determined job seeker does not only apply more. They improve the quality of their applications over time.
Determination in a New Job
Starting a new job can be challenging because you are learning systems, expectations, people and responsibilities.
Determination helps you stay patient while you adjust.
You can show determination in a new job by asking questions, taking notes, learning from mistakes, building relationships and improving your work process.
Instead of expecting to understand everything immediately, focus on steady progress.
Determination in Leadership
Leaders need determination because they are responsible for guiding others through complexity.
A leader may need to push a project forward, support a struggling team, manage change or make difficult decisions.
Determination in leadership means staying focused on the team’s goals while listening, adapting and communicating clearly.
A determined leader does not ignore problems. They face them directly and help the team continue.
Determination in Career Growth
Career growth often requires effort outside your daily responsibilities.
You may need to build new skills, take on challenging assignments, find mentors, apply for promotions or move into a new industry.
Determination helps you take long-term career development seriously.
Instead of waiting for opportunities to appear, determined professionals prepare for them.
Determination in Teamwork
Determination is not only an individual trait. Teams can also show determination.
A determined team continues working toward a shared goal even when a project becomes difficult. Team members support each other, communicate clearly and stay focused on the outcome.
Determination in teamwork means not giving up on the project or each other too quickly.
Common Barriers to Determination
Fear of Failure
Fear of failure can make people avoid difficult goals.
To overcome this, remember that failure is often part of learning. A failed attempt can show you what to change.
Lack of Clear Goals
It is hard to stay determined when the goal is unclear.
If you feel unfocused, define what you want and why it matters.
Unrealistic Expectations
If you expect instant success, you may feel discouraged quickly.
Set realistic timelines and understand that meaningful progress usually takes time.
Burnout
Determination should not mean ignoring your health.
If you are exhausted, you may need rest, better boundaries or a more realistic workload.
Negative Self-Talk
If you constantly tell yourself you cannot succeed, determination becomes harder.
Practice more useful self-talk, such as “I can improve with practice” or “This is difficult, but I can take the next step.”
Lack of Support
It can be harder to stay determined alone.
Seek mentors, peers, professional groups or supportive friends who can encourage your progress.
Determination and Work-Life Balance
Determination is valuable, but it should not become unhealthy overwork.
A determined person does not need to work every hour or ignore personal needs. Long-term determination requires rest, recovery and balance.
If you push too hard without breaks, you may experience burnout. Burnout can reduce focus, creativity and motivation.
Healthy determination includes:
Setting realistic goals
Taking breaks
Protecting sleep
Asking for help
Adjusting timelines when needed
Knowing when to pause
Working consistently, not constantly
The goal is sustainable progress.
How To Talk About Determination in an Interview
Employers may ask questions that give you a chance to show determination.
For example:
Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge.
Describe a goal you worked hard to achieve.
Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned.
How do you stay motivated during difficult projects?
When answering, use a specific example. Explain the situation, what made it difficult, what action you took and what the result was.
Example answer:
“In my previous role, I was assigned to improve a monthly reporting process that was taking too much time. At first, I struggled because the data came from several different sources. I spent time learning the process, asked the finance team for clarification and built a new spreadsheet template to reduce manual work. It took several weeks to refine, but the final process saved the team several hours each month.”
This answer shows determination because it includes challenge, action and result.
How To Include Determination on a Resume
You usually do not need to write “determined” as a standalone skill on your resume. It is better to show determination through achievements.
Instead of writing:
Determined and hardworking professional
Write something more specific:
Completed a six-month certification program while working full time
Improved customer response time by 25% through a revised support process
Led a delayed project back on schedule by reorganizing priorities and team responsibilities
Increased sales outreach activity and improved qualified leads by 18%
Specific achievements are stronger than general personality claims.
Determination Examples for Students
Students can show determination by:
Studying consistently for difficult courses
Improving grades after a weak semester
Completing a research project
Applying for scholarships
Balancing school with part-time work
Preparing for graduate school exams
Learning a new language or technical skill
Finishing a long-term assignment
Determination is especially important for students because academic success often depends on steady effort over time.
Determination Examples for Employees
Employees can show determination by:
Completing difficult projects
Learning new software
Improving after feedback
Supporting team goals during busy periods
Solving customer problems
Meeting deadlines under pressure
Taking responsibility for mistakes
Preparing for promotion
Building stronger communication skills
These examples can also be useful in performance reviews or interviews.
Determination Examples for Managers
Managers can show determination by:
Guiding a team through change
Supporting employees during difficult projects
Improving team performance
Solving staffing or process challenges
Maintaining morale during stressful periods
Coaching employees over time
Continuing to pursue long-term department goals
Managers who show determination can help create a more focused and resilient team culture.
Tips for Staying Determined During Difficult Times
When work or life becomes difficult, determination may feel harder. In those moments, focus on the next useful action.
You do not need to solve everything at once.
Try these strategies:
Write down the goal.
Identify the next small step.
Remove one distraction.
Ask for advice.
Review past progress.
Take a short break.
Adjust the timeline if needed.
Remind yourself why the goal matters.
Continue with one manageable action.
Determination often grows through small decisions, not dramatic moments.
How Dokie Can Help You Present Goals and Progress
Determination often involves setting goals, tracking progress and explaining results to others. Dokie can help turn goal plans, career development notes, team updates, performance summaries and personal growth projects into clear, professional presentations. Whether you are preparing a workplace training deck, a student presentation, a promotion case, a project update or a career development plan, Dokie helps organize your ideas into polished slides without spending hours on manual formatting.
Conclusion
Determination is the commitment to keep working toward a goal even when the path becomes difficult.
It helps people continue after setbacks, solve problems, improve skills and stay focused on long-term success. In the workplace, determination can make employees more reliable, resilient and growth-oriented.
Determination is not about being perfect or never feeling discouraged. It is about continuing to take meaningful action even when progress is slow.
You can build determination by setting clear goals, breaking them into smaller steps, tracking progress, learning from setbacks and staying flexible.
With practice, determination can become one of the most useful traits for career growth, personal development and long-term achievement.
FAQs
What is determination?
Determination is the commitment to keep working toward a goal despite challenges, setbacks or delays.
What does determination mean at work?
At work, determination means staying focused, solving problems, completing tasks and continuing to improve even when work becomes difficult.
Is determination a skill or a trait?
Determination can be both a personal trait and a skill. Some people may naturally be more determined, but anyone can improve determination through habits, goals and practice.
Why is determination important?
Determination is important because many goals require effort over time. It helps people continue after setbacks and stay committed to progress.
What is an example of determination?
An example of determination is continuing to improve your skills after receiving feedback so you can qualify for a promotion.
How do you show determination?
You can show determination by setting goals, following through on commitments, solving problems, asking for feedback and continuing after setbacks.
Is determination the same as motivation?
No. Motivation is the feeling that encourages action. Determination is the commitment that helps you continue even when motivation is low.
Is determination the same as perseverance?
They are related. Determination is the decision to keep working toward a goal, while perseverance is the continued action that supports that goal.
How can I become more determined?
You can become more determined by setting clear goals, creating routines, tracking progress, learning from setbacks and reminding yourself why the goal matters.
Can determination be bad?
Determination can become harmful if it turns into stubbornness or burnout. Healthy determination includes flexibility, rest and realistic expectations.
How do employers view determination?
Employers often view determination positively because it suggests reliability, resilience, problem-solving ability and commitment to improvement.
How do I mention determination in an interview?
Use a specific example of a challenge you faced, the action you took and the result you achieved. Avoid only saying that you are determined.
Should I list determination on my resume?
It is usually better to show determination through achievements rather than listing it as a standalone skill.
What traits are linked to determination?
Traits linked to determination include persistence, focus, patience, resilience, self-discipline, goal-setting and flexibility.
How does determination help career growth?
Determination helps career growth by supporting long-term learning, skill development, promotion readiness and resilience during setbacks.