The quality of persistence is not something that comes easy to everyone. There are people who are naturally persistent and this is sometimes mostly confused with being stubborn and there are those who have no other choice but to keep going.
The simple definition I coined for persistence is the ability to keep going after your goals and objectives despite obstacles and setbacks. From this definition, to be persistent might seem like an easy thing to do but that's not the case. You don't know what it means to keep pushing forward when the tides are against you—it can be difficult and emotionally straining.
I will use the journey of pregnancy as a simple illustration. From the moment a woman knows that she has conceived a child, she begins to look forward to her “expected delivery date”, when she can give birth and hold her baby in her hands.
Even though she happily looks forward to her EDD, this doesn't mean that her pregnancy journey will be smooth sailing. There are challenges that will crop up as the pregnancy advances. From morning sickness to weird cravings to sleeplessness and body pains. Yet a pregnant mother would not give up; rather, she will persevere to make sure that her baby is fine.
Should I go ahead to talk about labour pangs and pains? I think you get the point from here. Persistence is to be focused and unwavering in your pursuits no matter what, especially when you are confident of success.
It is not the same as stubbornness even though they might share similar characteristics. The key distinguishing factor is that stubbornness is unwillingness to be flexible which later on leads to an unsuccessful outcome. It is often borne from pride and resistance to feedback especially when there are better options available.
Again, let me use the pregnancy illustration to buttress my point. During labour, a pregnant mother will be examined to find out if she will be able to push her baby or another medical option for delivery should be used but stubbornness comes into play when this pregnant mother insists on vaginal birth without listening to her doctor's advice for another medical option, this endangering her life and that of her unborn child.
Whether vaginal birth is used or a caesarean section is used, the outcome remains the same and that is the birth of her baby, safe and sound.
Stubbornness can be quite dangerous as it leads to negative outcomes in the end. That unwillingness to budge or heed advice is what causes a downfall and that is not persistence at all. A persistent person is flexible and not dogged or set in their ways. A persistent person listens to advice and weighs options and follows the best to achieve their goals.
Life is tough but only the tough gets going. Plus the tough and persistent ones usually come out successful and on top.
Thanks for reading.
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