Ahead of Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace, Howe reflected on a difficult few weeks on Tyneside.
Newcastle resume their campaign after being bounced out of the Champions League by Barcelona and losing at home to Northeast rivals Sunderland. Further complicating things for Howe was chief exec David Hopkinson refusing to confirm him for next season.
Howe began this morning: "Nothing has changed.
"I'm 100% committed to the job. In this day and age it is difficult to look too far into the long term. I have to focus on the final seven games.
"We haven't trained with 20 players together since August so we have had a refreshing couple of sessions that have been really enjoyable."
Despite the heavy double setback, Howe says the international break came at the right time for the club.
He continued: "The break came at a good time for us. At the time we wanted to play as soon as we could but it gave the players a chance to detach.
"For us that were here there was a group of six we trained with the staff, we were focused on reflection, analysis and we have gone into an analytical mode to try and get back into our best form. Criticism is part of the deal when you lose big games like that."
On that Sunderland loss, Howe added: "Every defeat leaves a big mark. That left a big mark on me and my reaction is to work smarter, work harder, increase motivation levels and seek answers, find solutions and come back stronger."
Trippier announcement
During the international break, Newcastle saw former skipper Kieran Trippier announce he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Howe reflected: "I think Kieran has handled himself superbly. He came to see me, we had a discussion and he had a clear vision of what his future looked like.
"We respected that and we wanted him to get the best reception he deserves for his time here. He is one of the best players I have ever worked with, he is a real leader and he deserves all the plaudits."
Palace always tough
Newcastle go to Selhurst Park with Palace having just enjoyed a superb 3-0 win against Fiorentina in the first-leg of their Europa Conference League quarterfinal.
Howe said of the Eagles: "Crystal Palace are always a tough game. A well organised team with a superb coach and I watched them last night in preparation for this game."
Sitting 12th on the Premier League table, Howe was also asked if he was confident of clinching a European place this season.
He continued: "Pride is at stake and we want to do our supporters proud. If there is a carrot for us, it is European places and the gap is small between us and the teams ahead of us.
"The Champions League is the best competition but any European competition has its own strengths and as you get to the latter stages as you saw with Crystal Palace last night you start to get the feeling of winning a trophy and that can transform your season.
"But we have to concentrate on the last seven games of the season and finishing as high as you can."
Summer plans
Before signing off, Howe assured that he was heavily involved in the club's summer market planning. The Toon manager adamant he was discussing transfer strategy with football director Ross Wilson and Hopkinson.
He said, "It is difficult to predict but I am right across everything for the summer and next season with Ross and David whether that is potentials during the transfer window, pre-season schedules and there are a lot of unknowns with Europe etc but we will be prepared as we can be."