A Determination That Creates Direction
Guest post from Mark Chapman, (A Thrive Ambassador) Mark Chapman is a successful entrepreneur, author and owner of multiple businesses. He resides in the Tulsa, OK area. He owns and operates one of the leading pre-owned broadcast video equipment companies in the US.
A Determination That Creates Direction
Every leader eventually discovers that direction in life and business doesn’t start with opportunity—it starts with a determination in the heart.
Early in my sales career, I found myself increasingly frustrated with management. Certain policies and decisions felt like they were handcuffing me from closing deals. From my perspective, I knew how to produce results, and I didn’t understand why leadership was limiting what I believed would work.
One day, the owner and vice president called me in—not to review my numbers, but to address my attitude.
They explained the reasoning behind their decisions and offered friendly but direct advice about how I was responding. In that moment, I had a choice. I could harden my heart, defend myself, and walk out offended—or I could listen.
By God’s grace, I chose to listen.
I adjusted my posture and my approach. In the years that followed, I became salesperson of the year multiple times. The promotion didn’t begin with a new strategy; it began with a new determination.
Guarding the Source
Scripture says in Book of Proverbs 4:23, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life.” In this context, The word “issues” can also be understood as “borders or boundaries.” In other words, your heart determines the direction and limits of your life.
If your heart is wrong, what flows out of it—your words, decisions, tone, and reactions—will eventually move in the wrong direction.
In commission sales, it’s easy to become frustrated when you lose a deal. After all, it directly affects your paycheck. But I made a personal decision not to get angry with customers or burn bridges. Many of those same individuals later came back and did business with me—some over the course of several years.
Your long-term success in business is often determined by how you handle short-term disappointment.
Daniel’s Resolution
We see this principle clearly in Book of Daniel 1:8: “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s delicacies.” Some translations say he “resolved.” It was an internal determination.
Daniel was living in the king’s palace, surrounded by opportunity, influence, and comfort. Yet before the pressure mounted, he made a quality decision. He determined in advance that he would not participate in anything that would compromise him spiritually.
He settled it in his heart before it became a daily temptation.
For marketplace leaders today, the principle remains the same. Don’t partake in things that corrupt your thoughts, weaken your integrity, or dull your spiritual sensitivity. Determination precedes direction.
Practical Application for Leaders
If you want your business to move in the right direction, start with your heart:
Set clear internal boundaries before external pressure arises.
Invite accountability into your life.
Stay in prayer and continually examine your motives.
Refuse to allow offense or frustration to take root.
When your heart is aligned with God, you can take bold steps forward with confidence. You can receive correction without resentment. You can navigate disappointment without bitterness.
A determined heart creates clear direction. And in the marketplace, that kind of internal resolve will always shape your external results.