Tenacity: Psychological Engine To Act

Tenacity is much more than an attitude towards life. No one comes into the world with the innate ability to overcome any adversity with the boldest determination, capable of achieving any goal or purpose. It is necessary to train the willpower that permeates this psychological dimension, which is acquired with experience and with great perseverance.

The ability to challenge circumstances, to have self-control and self-confidence… many dimensions build this mindset, but we can all develop this precious and necessary competence. Similarly, the tenacious person is not defined only by that disposition with which he tries to achieve success in his work or to reach a goal.

In turn, tenacity is accompanied by the desire to improve and feel well-being. So it is directly related to self-esteem and fosters our sense of self-fulfillment. Being persistent means perceiving that we are capable of accomplishing what we propose, it is feeling valid, precious and capable of shaping one’s life and reality as one wishes.

What is tenacity?

When the going gets tough, deciding is the real challenge; where to go and, above all, where to find the motivation to face this unexpected circumstance.

Let’s face it: we live in a society that pays attention to qualities such as intelligence, talent, creativity, extroverted character, leadership, etc. But where does tenacity lie?

The strength contained in tenacity is perhaps the most precious skill that human beings can have. Yet they don’t always teach us to be school tenacity, they don’t always give us indications on how to awaken this quality.

We often use it because it was transmitted to us by our parents, because certain figures have inspired and guided us to effectively apply those resources that make up mental tenacity.

Sisu, show courage in the face of adversity

Sisu is a concept of Finnish origin deeply rooted in its culture. This term encompasses a fascinating combination of ideas and dimensions such as resilience, stoicism, courage, determination and, of course, mental tenacity.

Think that this term has existed in Finland for several centuries, everyone knows what it means, but few can explain it with concrete words.

This idea was first presented to the scientific community during the third World Congress of Positive Psychology in Los Angeles in 2013. Sisu is a potential psychological energy capable of helping human beings to reach a goal, to overcome adversity. and to remain persistent in this process.

Likewise, there are those who assure that this compendium of psychological virtues would be present as a personality trait in many cases. It is also true, however, that each of us can learn to mature mental tenacity.

Self-esteem, the engine that feeds tenacity

Most of the studies that have been done on mental tenacity come from the world of sports. Research such as that of Dr. Patricia Pritchard, of the University of Virginia, United States, shows that mental tenacity requires components such as willpower, commitment, self-control and trust.

However, they also highlight an essential element: self-esteem. Let’s think about it: without this psychological muscle nothing would be possible. If a person does not appreciate himself, if he does not value himself enough to feel worthy of what he dreams, wants and needs, he will hardly take the first step.

The tenacious person is the one who refuses to feel defeated. It is also that heart which, although aware of being exhausted, that life has given it more than one blow and has suffered a few falls, refuses to lose its illusion and self-love. We must therefore keep this in mind: without self-esteem there is no spark, without this dimension we will not turn on the engine of mental tenacity.

How to improve tenacity?

No one makes great progress in life without compromise or risk. In other words, it is entirely possible to set more or less ambitious goals to be achieved in the near future; for example, getting a good job, passing a competition, or making that much-needed change in our existence.

It is difficult for this to happen if we do not examine ourselves first: am I ready to take this leap? Am I okay with myself? Am I motivated, do I have the adequate psychological resources? Therefore, let’s answer these questions

It is a priority and for this there is nothing better than training all those qualities that make up mental tenacity:

• Take care of yourself : psychological tenacity requires first of all that we feel good about ourselves, so it is essential to take care of ourselves, strengthening self-esteem, avoiding fears and insecurities, establishing clear and precise goals, trying to satisfy certain inner needs, etc.

• Change your attitude. The tenacious person trains his attitude and always maintains a resolute, strong and optimistic disposition that allows him to face the day with his head held high.

• Acquire habits based on tenacity. In our day we need to start applying small routines that help us promote mental tenacity. This implies, for example, being able to achieve small goals without giving up, being strong and decisive.

It is also important to learn problem solving techniques, with a flexible, creative and intuitive mindset in order to be able to appreciate the opportunities that happen to us.

To conclude, let’s not lose sight of this wonderful psychological cornerstone that will help us to be happier and, above all, to choose the right destinations for our dreams and needs.