Holding something firmly (whether it is an idea, an organism or an object) requires strength, tenacity and concentration so as not to lose stability or control of what is being held.
Firmness is a term that, as noted when consulting the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) , has several meanings.
First of all, this word is conceived as a quality associated with something stable or firm. It is also understood as a distinctive feature of those upright and tenacious individuals who do not allow anything or anyone to dominate or bring them down.
This notion is also used in some territories to account for the element or jewel that proves loyalty at a loving level, while in Uruguay and Argentina firmness is the name of a traditional (popular) dance that involves the participation of a couple but to perform loosely, with independent movements.
In everyday life, on the other hand, this word is used to refer to the tone of the skin because it usually loses firmness over the years; to describe the state or texture of food and to indicate the degree of confidence offered by a corporate firm through the firmness ratio , to list some possibilities. Nor can it be overlooked that, with the intention of qualifying the attributes of products intended for people's rest and well-being, it is common to refer to the firmness of each mattress (in relation to this point, it is necessary to know that Soft mattresses of low firmness , medium firm mattresses and others of greater hardness whose firmness is usually high are manufactured.
By linking it to human beings, firmness can be understood, analyzed and segmented into the groups of firmness on a physical level , emotional firmness and mental firmness .
What it means to act firmly
Acting firmly means moving forward through life with determination , demonstrating moral strength , perseverance and fortitude to proceed based on personal interests, ideals, feelings, beliefs and principles without conditioning, limiting or declining due to a lack of support or due to opinions. or external pressures. A subject who changes his mind continually and is not stable in his actions or decisions, for example, is not constant or firm, has not learned to value himself, so he modifies his desires or actions seeking the pleasure or approval of others and reflects fears , insecurity and fragility. .
By cultivating firmness, the person appears unwavering in their actions and conducts themselves with conviction , confidence and security .
In leadership, firmness must be marked with appropriate limits and consistency in actions. The leader has to be firm and exercise authority but not close himself to dialogue and not become cold or insensitive.
At the family level, for example, firmness can be combined with love, empathy, patience and respect to educate children in the kindest way possible through so-called positive discipline .
With firmness , audacity , tenacity and willpower , it is also possible to achieve goals, overcome adversity and achieve success, whether in the personal, social or professional sphere.
Advantages and challenges
Whoever has a firm character benefits from emotional resources that lead said person to maintain a consolidated self-esteem and to be able to exercise a role of authority or leadership, having and setting limits with prudence , clarity and integrity .
When you manage to maintain firmness in all areas and reflect an internal evolution marked by resilience and inner strength , you gain self-confidence . In this way, an image of strength , certainty , clear values and capacity for resolution is built.
Of course, it is a real challenge to achieve a balance between firmness and flexibility . Both for raising children and for imposing yourself as a leader, it is advisable to strike a balance between being coherent, constant and rigorous but without becoming someone insensitive, authoritarian, cold or violent.
To have firm muscles you must constantly perform physical toning exercises, just as to give firmness to the skin it is advisable to adopt healthy habits, eat correctly, hydrate the skin and apply firming creams, for example.
How to cultivate firmness
The power of decision , self-control and optimal management of emotions are key to obtaining mental firmness .
Firmness is cultivated by learning to set the limits that are necessary in pursuit of a good and healthy goal; facing each complex circumstance with fortitude and courage without ever stopping believing in oneself; and behaving assertively .
Firmness of character is an ally of the impulse to improve , of wanting (and being able) to move forward without giving up or giving up. It is resisting storms with the hope and conviction of being able to get out of difficult situations successfully.
In terms of leadership , firmness is a skill for which emotional skills are essential. It must be accompanied and developed together with humility , diplomacy , self-knowledge , self-determination and the power of listening .
In a conflict or in the context of a negotiation, firmness is a value of enormous relevance because, if it is deployed with respect , cunning , clarity and common sense , it helps to inspire respect even when an agreement is not achieved (or becomes difficult). . It is not advisable in any case to understand that violence can be a solution and nor should we believe that, in order to guarantee harmony and reach an agreement between opposing positions, it is necessary to give in: dialogue , the polite exposition of the principles or One's own opinions and their categorical defense, as well as the ability to convince and win an argument with firm, consistent and valid arguments, must always prevail.