Meet the pest

Persistence vs Stubbornness

Persistence and stubbornness are both traits related to a person’s determination and perseverance, but they are characterized differently in their approach and attitude.

Persistence:

  • Definition: Persistence refers to the quality of continuing firmly in a course of action despite difficulty or opposition.
  • Positive Attributes: It is often associated with flexibility, adaptability, and open-mindedness. Persistent individuals are able to adjust their methods and strategies in order to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
  • Example: A persistent individual might continue to pursue a challenging project by seeking alternative solutions and approaches when faced with setbacks.

Stubbornness:

  • Definition: Stubbornness, on the other hand, refers to a refusal to change one’s opinion, attitude, or course of action despite persuasion or reasoning.
  • Negative Connotations: It is often associated with inflexibility, resistance to change, and insistence on one’s own viewpoint, even to the detriment of progress or harmony.
  • Example: A stubborn person may insist on a particular course of action without considering alternative perspectives, even when evidence suggests that a different approach may be more effective.

In summary, while persistence involves a determined pursuit of goals with an openness to adapt and change, stubbornness entails a rigid adherence to one’s own viewpoint or course of action, often to the detriment of cooperation and progress.

The word is mighty to tearing down the wrong and establishing the right.