Purposefulness: the omnipotent conqueror of difficulty

It doesn't matter how fast you go to the goal, the main thing is not to stop. (Confucius)

Purposefulness is a precisely formulated, clearly conscious person's ability to take the necessary actions to implement the plans. This feature involves the application of certain volitional efforts that mobilize the internal resources of the individual, allowing to overcome the obstacles that arise on the way to the goal and not to give up when faced with difficulties.

Purposefulness arises as a result of a kind of victory over oneself: overcoming laziness, triumph over fears, the triumph of efficiency over fatigue. This quality is one of the necessary conditions for the formation of a stable character, because in order to develop a sense of purpose, one often has to painfully experience a struggle of motives, select reasonable arguments, weighing the pros and cons, experience a genuine conflict between various desires, needs, intentions.

A person who has chosen a certain goal and established ways to achieve it, like a ship sailing with a fair wind. He confidently and effectively goes to his goal, does not drift in the ocean of accidents. The course of his movement is determined by himself, and not by the circumstances and desires of other people. A purposeful person is ready to consciously sacrifice and refuse many temptations and pleasures. A clearly stated goal is the best way to achieve the desired result. A correctly chosen intention opens up new horizons for a person, does not constrain movement and does not limit the means. The fulfillment of the set task is the best reward that takes a person one step higher in her personal development. Achieving a goal is a significant factor in gaining and strengthening self-confidence. This is the main incentive that gives objective reasons to feel like a successful person.

Overcoming one's own indecision and lack of concentration, efforts and actions that have led to a significant result, bring a person a sense of success and self-worth, allow self-respect and increase self-esteem. The person gains confidence that he is able to control the situation. Purposefulness is the main secret of success, allowing you to achieve high results in any activity.

Why is purposefulness needed?

This property of the will sphere:

• sets the right course to achieve the goal;
• provides special energy to overcome obstacles;
• allows you to achieve success in any activity;
• "suggests" the best ways to resolve difficulties;
• frees from indecision, hesitation, doubt;
• brings joy to awareness of actions;
• gives a sense of personal freedom and independence;
• helps to develop respect and love for one's personality;
• exalts a person in the eyes of others.

How does purposefulness show up?

This quality of a person is a necessary and important component for the successful implementation of actions in everyday life.

• Professional activity. A goal-oriented person quickly and more comfortably moves up the career ladder. He is not afraid to set high standards in business, confidently overcomes difficulties and solves problems. He is able to independently control and manage his behavior, not dependent on the external pressure of society. Purposefulness helps a person to gain a clear confidence in success.
• Sports career. A goal-oriented athlete demonstrates the highest results. He is ready to train hard and for a long time. He knows how to restrain himself from temptations. He has no fear of participating in competitions, he does not experience panic anxiety when meeting with an opponent. He controls his emotions by force of will.
• Education. A person with a clearly defined goal firmly acquires knowledge in the shortest possible time. Purposefulness allows you to maximize your abilities. A clearly defined level of heights contributes to a better understanding, memorization of the material, helps to navigate and focus on the learning process. This quality is the most useful tool for improving the effectiveness of training.
• Scientific activity. The author of the saying that laziness is the engine of progress was not entirely accurate. Not this sign of weakness, but precisely the important quality of the will of a person - purposefulness allowed outstanding scientists to achieve significant heights in scientific activity. Purposefulness in all ages has been the driving force that makes it possible to overcome internal resistance and external obstacles, often requiring heroism and self-sacrifice from the individual.

How to develop purposefulness?

The components of the volitional sphere are flexible and plastic material that can be developed thanks to meaningful and consistent actions of the individual. Any person can forge and cultivate purposefulness in himself. Methods for the development of this volitional quality can be very diverse, but their effectiveness depends on the observance of the following rules.

• Rule 1 A global and difficult intention must be developed into several smaller and more immediate goals and alternately achieved step by step. In the presence of a distant perspective, it is very important to understand the stages of achieving the goal and, having outlined the immediate prospects, perform actions to solve particular problems. The result of consistent work will be the conditions created to achieve the final goal.
• Rule 2 When formulating a goal, choosing methods to achieve it, and making a final decision, it is necessary to take into account the expediency of intentions and analyze their feasibility. Any decision must be comprehensively thought out.
• Rule 3 Any decision taken requires immediate implementation. Every time a person has made a decision, but puts off again and again its implementation, his volitional sphere is disorganized.
• Rule 4 Remember, the more significant the goal for a person and the higher the level of motivation, the more difficult obstacles he is able to overcome.
• Rule 5 It is important that in the daily routine of problems and troubles, a person does not lose sight of the final, desired goal of the activity and does not waste strength, energy, time on solving insignificant, optional tasks.

In order to develop purposefulness, you need to:

• overcome your own and find peace of mind;
• wean yourself from "inventing" self-justifications for your laziness;
• put doubt and indecision under the ban;
• learn to live with your head, and not be guided by spontaneous feelings;
• try different solutions to problems;
• develop energy and activity;
• develop a clear self-organization and observe strict discipline;
• accept momentary mood swings as natural reactions of the emotional sphere and do not focus on disappointments, irritation, resentment, fears;
• not be afraid to look for other ways to achieve the goal and understand that the decision made earlier may be wrong.

Good helpers, bringing a person closer to gaining purposefulness, will be: faith in one's own strengths, respect and love for one's personality, the fight against indecision and cowardice. As Washington Irving said, "Great minds have goals, the rest have desires."