Determination and Grit: A factor for success
“Determination, with an optimistic attitude is the key to success” ~ Dalai Lama XIV
When we experience failure/rejection in life, our thought process gets affected by it. We may end up in a loop of negative thoughts which may affect our performance in the next task at hand. If we are determined to achieve something in life, we see the failure as an opportunity to learn from and make ourselves better the next time. Virat Kohli in his post match interview hinted towards a very determined approach in the series and that the team will give a tough fight to the opponents in each game. Now we can either take it as a false hope to self or can see it as an optimistic view and the belief in the team.
Also Read: India vs England Test 2 | Match Summary
Its okay to feel low after a bad day or after failing to complete a task at work. But, its not okay to sit over it forever. It may take a while to get over it but the one who is strongly determined to achieve something, might not spend more than a few hours/days over it. They would seek to know what went wrong and what they can learn from it. We all are equally determined for our work but at times see these results as obstacles instead of challenges.
Being determined helps you to stay motivated and work towards achieving a goal. When both the teams stepped out on the field for the 2nd test, they were determined to win. However, the one who is determined and gritty, ends up having an upper hand in tasks. The setbacks, the comebacks and the challenges faced in doing/pursuing a particular game/task, helps you build the determination to find success in it. Your ability to bounce back from the downfalls, fuels your determination towards it.
Body Language and its role in success:
Captain Kohli in his post match interview after 1st test, mentioned about the change in body language of the team in the 1st innings and expressed his thoughts on it. In the very next game, we saw each team member walk in with a much stronger and positive body language. A similar one to the England team when they walked in on Day 1 of 1st test. There was a difference in the way they approached the game which spoke volumes of how they are going to play.
In sports, body language plays a huge role. It tells us about how the athlete is approaching the game and his mindset. Similarly, body language tells us a lot about the other person we interact with in daily life. The mind-body relationship isn’t a new concept and the way thoughts influences our body language, vice-versa i.e. body language also influences how we think!
When we are happy, our body language is more open and welcoming as compared to when we are feeling sad or having a tough day. In sports, after a win, there is always a positive body language that we see but it is an extremely important factor to maintain a strong body language when a sportsperson isn’t performing well or has lost a game.
Athlete or not, we all feel the pain of loss and our body language is different. But at times, we don’t have the time to dwell on it and have to show up for the next task/game. When you face such situations, try and display the same body language as the time you would be performing well and winning games. Initially it will be difficult but, fake it till you make it! When working with teams at work or otherwise or in sports, here are few things you are try to build a positive body language in wins and losses both. These are however the common points which have been observed in the game too.:
Keep your head high!
Encourage and cheer your team members.
Clap and cheer for them. (If that’s not enough, involve the audience/fans 😉)
Keep eye contact with the person you are talking to.
With determination, grit, skills and positive body language, you can pave your way to success. A positive body language will not only be appreciated by others but will also build a sense of confidence in you. We have seen the difference it makes after a loss and how having a strong body language along with the skill, Team India walked in and dominated from the first ball itself. This doesn’t mean that England did have the same, but the determination and grit shown by India and their resilience helped them to outplay the opponents and stand strong.
Urvi Shah (Author, Beyond the Matches)
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