Warriors Are Determined

DETERMINATION

Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” This brings us to the fact that determination to live and to win can overcome a lack of size, strength, and skill. The why to live should be obvious, and we have already instilled a belief that no one has the right to take that away from us.

On my “sniper” jacket that I had made up while I was in South Korea, I have this saying: “It’s not the skill to win, but the will to win.” I believe this wholeheartedly. I have beat people based solely on my physical condition and my determination to win. When I asked my dad one time what the single most important thing that determined the outcome of his fights was, he replied, “I just set my mind to the fact that I would not lose. I didn’t think of anything else, and I didn’t feel anything. My sole purpose was to defeat anyone I was against.” My father reads a lot more about European and American history and military leaders, while I look more toward Asian doctrines. His words remind me of Mataemon Iso, who said, “Approach the moment with the idea in mind that you’re in the fight to the finish.” Different backgrounds and teachings, but the common theme of determination.

The football coach Mike Ditka once said, “There’s something that makes a great athlete great. And I’m not sure it’s physical talent. I think it comes from within.” I’ll say it does, Mike. There are many who have the physical potential to become great in athletic events who fail due to the lack of will power or determination needed to achieve superior standing in their sport. Then there are abundant stories of those who overcame severe handicaps and difficulties to rise to the pinnacle of success. Sheer guts and determination got them there.

You must cultivate this determination within yourself. You must be totally committed to the accomplishment of your goal. If you cultivate this trait in all of your activities, it will carry over into the area of self-preservation. You must be determined to win if you are put into a situation that involves your becoming physically aggressive. In other words, when you realize and decide it’s time to fight, you’d better be determined to give it your all, no matter what.

This comes from the chapter “The Most Important Ingredient” from the book Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks.