Desperation is a forward going vector. I think it is only 50% of the equation. The other 50% is getting out of your own way - that is in terms of velocity. Things like never feeling sorry for yourself - that can manifest in a variety of ways. That is oft mentioned loss aversion/feeling sorry for yourself at present or in the future. If you got both parts solved you can forage forward pretty fast.
That is IMHO - at least what I gathered from years of introspection on what works and doesn't.
Though I think if you put yourself in desperation mode for a while and you observe the pain and suffering that happens to others in life then you will most likely stop feeling sorry for yourself.
But you're right - creating an environment is only 50% of the problem (maybe less). Changing one's own internal structure is the crux of the problem.
That is IMHO - at least what I gathered from years of introspection on what works and doesn't.