One of the things I love most of all about the new year is that it provides us with the golden opportunity to press the reset button and step out of the shadows of our old habits and into the vibrant light of our untapped potential.
This makes it an exciting time of the year and by embracing this fresh beginning, we can shape our future goals and explore the hidden depths of our capabilities.
Of course, this requires effort, energy and commitment.
So, to begin with we need to understand that as human beings we have a hard-wired tendency to favour the path of least resistance. This is primarily due to an evolutionary imperative for personal energy conservation, which is deeply embedded in our biology and cognitive processes. In psychology, this is formally known as the principle of least effort.
Whilst we may instinctively seek out ease and comfort it is important to appreciate that it is effort, struggle and vulnerability that are the ingredients that truly enrich our human experience. A life that is too sheltered or protected, while safe, risks being bland or superficial, missing out on the intense contrasts that build and support our character.
Beyond our comfort zone in many ways is where the real magic happens and striving is profoundly powerful because it transforms our mere existence into a purposeful ascent. When we strive in life it compels us to transcend our present limits and fully explore and maximise our human potential.
It is the courage to strive that sculpts our inner strength and deepens our sense of value, purpose and appreciation. When we put time, energy, and emotional capital into a goal, the resulting achievement carries a much higher psychological weight. The value isn’t just in the outcome itself; it’s in the journey and the story of how we get there.
So, what are the benefits of striving?
Striving makes us stronger – It is the problems and setbacks that we encounter, whilst striving, that helps to strengthen our characters. These experiences equip us with the wisdom and coping mechanisms that we need to deal with life’s inevitable challenges so we can be fit for the future.
Striving gives us purpose and meaning – Having something to strive for gives our daily life direction and meaning. A strong sense of purpose is one of the most significant factors contributing to our personal motivation and overall wellbeing.
Striving boosts our confidence – When we achieve something we truly have to work hard for, we earn a deep and lasting sense of self-respect and self-worth. We prove to ourselves that we are capable and this is a great way to boost our confidence.
So how do we strive?
I have developed a STRIVE model which covers six core ways that we can maximise our human potential and embrace the journey from striving to thriving.
Self-Belief – This is the conviction and confidence we have in our own ability to overcome challenges and turn problems into opportunities, and is pivotal to how well we will ultimately succeed.
Tenacity – This is about our determination, persistence and patience we demonstrate in achieving our goals. It is also about knowing when to hold on and when to let go.
Resilience – This is about our ability to recover well from adversity and adapt to change which helps us to maintain our balance and optimism even when life throws unexpected challenges our way.
Innovation – This is about our creativity and courage to implement innovative solutions which will help to keep us fresh, relevant and pioneering in a rapidly changing world.
Vision – This is about our focus and clarity which helps us to align our efforts with meaningful goals. Vision gives purpose to our actions and helps us to stay motivated and inspired.
Energy – This is about the fuel that sustains our physical, mental, and emotional vitality. Without it, striving becomes unsustainable and burnout inevitable.
From striving to thriving – Reflection exercise
It is well worth setting some time aside to consider these questions:
What practical steps can I take to cultivate self-efficacy and confidence into my daily life?
How can I develop the commitment and persistence needed to stay tenacious when facing challenges?
What strategies help me to recover well from setbacks and maintain emotional balance?
How can I implement new ideas and creative solutions to adapt and grow?
What methods can I use to find purpose and meaning through setting and pursuing goals?
How can I pace myself effectively to ensure self-care and establish life balance?
Summary
A commitment to striving fosters greater motivation, resilience, improved overall wellbeing, and a more fulfilling, purpose-driven life.
If you would like to find out more about the STRIVE model please do get in touch with liggy@liggywebb.com or come and hear me speak on at The World of Learning at Olympia in London at 12.15 on Wednesday 3rd October 2026
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