The Face of Determination

You know the look. Steely eyes locked in. Jaw set. Posture upright, gaze unwavering, energy fully engaged. It’s the unmistakable expression of someone giving everything they have in the moment.

I have a picture of what this kind of determination looks like on me. I'm about eight years old, barreling toward a soccer ball and the photographer. My pigtails are flying, my green jersey is loose on my small frame, and my face is flushed red with effort. I love that picture because it reminds me of what determination feels like. 

You know that feeling, too—that immersive, all-consuming focus where you're fully in it, committed, and unstoppable. Maybe you've experienced it in the gym, on the field, or in pursuit of a dream job, a degree, or a promotion. Perhaps it was in a creative endeavor, solving a complex problem, or standing up for something that mattered deeply to you. 

It's the state where decisions crystallize, where strategy becomes action, where your vision pulls others into its orbit.

This is how determination feels—an intense burst of focus, an all-in push toward an immediate goal. But determination, as powerful as it is, is also temporary. I could outrun my opponents in that game, but what about the next? What happens when energy fades? When setbacks arise? When self-doubt creeps in?

The answer lies in something more enduring: conviction.

Determination vs. Conviction

“Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm, and conviction is nothing more than sustained enthusiasm for a worthy goal.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Determination is powerful—it fuels action and drives you toward a goal with urgency and intensity. Determination gets you started, but conviction keeps you going.

• Determination is the initial spark—the drive to act. But it burns out if not reinforced. 
• Conviction is sustained determination. It is the ability to align thought and emotion to maintain forward momentum over time. 

As a child playing soccer, determination carried me forward. As an executive, determination alone is insufficient. Success requires something more—a cultivated ability to manage your mindset, emotions, and actions in a way that sustains effort beyond the initial push.

A determined leader charges into action. A leader with conviction moves forward with consistency, adjusting to obstacles without losing momentum.

This distinction matters because executives do not need momentary bursts of determination (although those are fun, too!) They need conviction—an internal foundation strong enough to drive sustained progress, even in uncertainty.

Conviction isn’t just determination on overdrive—it’s the deliberate practice of sustaining determination over time. It’s what happens when mental certainty and emotional drive align in a way that keeps you moving forward, no matter the circumstances. It’s not about pushing forward when the conditions are right—it’s about building a mindset and emotional foundation that make quitting not an option.

The Hidden Cost of Holding Back

The decline of conviction does not announce itself. It emerges subtly—in delayed decisions, second-guessing, and actions that lack urgency. Over time, this erosion manifests in ways that compromise individual and organizational performance.

➡️ Personal Impact

The Invisible Drain: Projects remain unfinished, fitness aspirations fade, and relationships lack the effort to thrive. Excuses like "I'll start next week" or "I don't have time" become commonplace, leading to months or years of stagnation. These subtle compromises don't just affect how you feel and your health—they influence how you lead in your family, community, and at work. Decision fatigue sets in earlier, and the vision that initially inspired you gradually loses its vibrancy and pull. It often results in:

• Unrealized goals
• Incremental progress replaces transformative change
• Hesitation overtakes decisiveness, leading to lost opportunities.

➡️ Professional Impact

 Lack of conviction manifests as hesitation in decision-making, playing it safe instead of taking a bold step, or holding back from speaking up in a meeting. It’s that promotion you wanted but never pursued, the networking opportunity you skipped, or the innovative idea you had but kept to yourself. It’s in the slow erosion of passion—where work shifts from something you once pursued with excitement to something you just get through. 

In the corporate environment, conviction separates those who shape the future from those who are shaped by it. Its absence leads to: 

• Leaders defer action, waiting for certainty that never arrives.
• Talented professionals withhold insights in meetings, undervaluing their contributions.
• Organizations stagnate due to an aversion to calculated risk.

➡️ Organizational Impact

 The impact of waning conviction extends beyond the individual. Its organizational consequences are significant. Perhaps you’ve seen this firsthand—colleagues who seem disengaged, going through the motions, doing just enough to get by. It manifests as quiet quitting, a reluctance to take initiative, and a general sense of disconnection from their work. This isn’t just about a lack of effort; it’s often a lack of determination. Without a sense of conviction in what they’re doing, employees become detached, and that disengagement spreads.

• Decreased Engagement: A Gallup study found that only 35% of U.S. managers are Declining Engagement: Research indicates that only  35% of U.S. managers feel engaged in their work, directly influencing team morale and productivity.
• Financial Consequences: Disengagement is estimated to cost the global economy $8.8 trillion annually in lost productivity.
• Increased Attrition: High-potential employees are unlikely to remain in organizations where conviction and decisive leadership are absent.

These are not merely cultural challenges; they are strategic vulnerabilities. Many organizations attempt to address them through external motivators—incentives, mandates, or pressure. Yet none of these interventions address the core issue. Sustainable momentum requires something more fundamental: conviction.

Building Conviction: Prepare, Practice, Play

When I was in second grade playing soccer, "Run fast, kick hard, push through!" was enough to cultivate determination every time I stepped on the field. Effort alone carried me forward. But leaders, just like professional athletes, know that it’s not about exerting more effort but refining the way one prepares, thinks, and acts. Conviction is a skill that can be developed through a three-part framework.

1️⃣ Prepare – Identify the Gap

 The first step is identifying where hesitation has replaced conviction. This requires precise self-examination.

• Where are critical decisions being delayed?
• What initiatives are progressing too slowly?
• In what areas is hesitancy preventing bold action?

For example, consider an executive who hesitates to voice strategic concerns in board meetings. The underlying thought might be: What if my perspective is flawed? This uncertainty leads to restraint and inaction.

A more effective cognitive framework would be: My insights are informed and valuable. Contributing strengthens the decision-making process. This shift—aligning thought patterns with conviction—sets the stage for consistent execution.

2️⃣ Practice – Train for Conviction

 High performers do not rely on circumstances to dictate their level of conviction. Instead, they deliberately train their minds to reinforce it. 

• Athletes visualize success before stepping onto the field.
• Executives anticipate high-pressure scenarios and rehearse their responses. 

Mental conditioning is not theoretical—it is a proven tool for improving performance under pressure. By repeatedly engaging in visualization and cognitive priming, leaders can reinforce conviction before critical moments arise.

3️⃣ Play – Execute Without Hesitation

The final step is execution. Leaders often wait for complete certainty before making a move. However, conviction is not the absence of doubt—it is the ability to act despite it.

• Instead of overanalyzing, commit to informed decision-making.
• Instead of waiting for confidence, cultivate it through action.
• Instead of seeking external validation, rely on internal certainty. 

Conviction is built through disciplined execution. The leaders who drive the most impact are those who train themselves to move forward decisively, irrespective of external conditions.

The Competitive Edge of Conviction

Conviction is the force that keeps you moving when motivation fades. When you take the time to prepare by identifying the gaps, practicing generating conviction daily, and stepping into action even before you feel fully ready, you stop waiting for momentum to show up—you create it.

In leadership, conviction is not a luxury—it is a necessity. It determines whether professionals shape their careers or become passive participants in them, and it dictates whether organizations lead markets or react to them. 

So, what’s the area in your life where you’ve been hesitating? Identify it. Train for it. And when the moment comes—step in and play.

Traci Fisher partners with leaders to bridge the gap between fleeting determination and sustained conviction—where decisive action replaces hesitation. As an executive self-leadership coach, she helps leaders cultivate the mental discipline, emotional agility, and strategic clarity required to lead confidently and consistently.

Her approach integrates neuroscience, leadership psychology, and high-performance coaching, equipping executives with the tools to navigate uncertainty, sustain momentum, and drive meaningful impact—without burnout or second-guessing.

Want to move from momentary determination to unshakable conviction? Connect with Traci at www.thewellness.coach or email at info@thewellness.coach.