Perseverance vs. Stupidity: The Fine Line That Makes Decisions Harder
We hear two contradictory messages all the time:
⏩ Never give up!
⏪ Don’t be stupid—know when to quit!
But how do we know which one to follow? Perseverance and stubbornness often look identical, yet one leads to success and the other to failure. The tricky part? The difference isn’t always obvious in the moment.
The Difference Between Perseverance and Stubbornness
At first glance, pushing forward and banging your head against a wall might seem like the same thing. But the key difference lies in adaptation. If you’re working toward a goal that truly aligns with your values and vision, then perseverance is necessary. However, blind repetition without progress is not perseverance—it’s resistance to growth.
I read this once: "Absurdly persistent is about never giving up on your goal. Absurdly stupid is about never giving up on HOW you achieve your goal." —Victor Cheng. That distinction is crucial. The goal stays, but the approach must be flexible.
When to Adjust Instead of Quit
Let’s explain it through an example:
Entrepreneurs hear this all the time: Show up every day on social media, and results will come. But what if nothing changes after months of effort? Does that mean you should quit? Not necessarily. Instead of abandoning the strategy, consider improving/changing/tweaking it. Try new types of posts, explore different platforms, or adjust your messaging. You’re still following the goal—growing your brand—but you’re refining the method.
Staying rigid in a failing tactic is not perseverance; it’s wasted effort. If the tactic is failing, but we’re certain about the goal, experiment around the tactic or try new ones.
And the same principle applies to personal growth. Think of an athlete training for a marathon. Running every day on the same track without progress won’t make them faster. They need to incorporate strength training, proper nutrition, and recovery strategies. Consistency is essential, but growth requires adaptability. Again, same goal but flexibility on the tactic.
Now we know how to persevere without falling into stubbornness and creating progress. But what if nothing brings the desired result back and time keeps passing by?
Self-Reflection: The Key to Knowing When to Pivot
So how do you know when to stick with something and when to pivot? Self-reflection is your best tool. Ask yourself:
Am I still passionate about this path, or am I just afraid of quitting?
Is this aligned with my values and long-term vision?
Have I seen any progress, even if small?
If something no longer excites you or conflicts with your values, then quitting isn’t failure—it’s a smart pivot. A draining job or a toxic relationship isn’t something to endure just for the sake of proving perseverance.
Likewise, if you’ve been consistently putting in the effort but see no meaningful progress—no learning, no small wins, no signs of potential growth—then it may be time to reevaluate. Stagnation without signs of improvement is often a red flag that a different path might be more effective.
The Harsh Reality: People Judge Based on Results
Let’s be real—people will judge you based on results, not effort.
✅ If you persist and succeed, you’re called dedicated.
⛔️ If you persist and fail, you’re called foolish.
But external opinions are unreliable measures. The real indicator is your own evaluation: Is your effort moving you forward, or are you stuck in a loop? Are you working toward a goal or a dream that is truly worth the effort? Or at the very least, are you learning from your failed attempts?
If the answer is yes, don’t fall into the trap of judging yourself solely based on the outcomes. Success is rarely instant—often, it takes months, years, or even multiple attempts before things finally click. Trust the process, stay adaptable, and focus on what you’re gaining along the way. As long as you follow the principles outlined in this post, your perseverance won’t be wasted effort—it will be an investment in growth.
Balance Between Perseverance and Adaptation
Conclusion of the day: As many things in life, the key is balance.
👉 Stick to your long-term goals, but allow flexibility in your approach.
👉 Perseverance works when combined with evolution.
👉Check in with yourself regularly: Where am I? How do I feel about it? What’s working, and what’s not? That’s how you’ll know when to push forward and when to change course.
Reflect on something you’ve been pursuing—does it need persistence or a shift in strategy? Follow me on Instagram as @martafores_coach and share your thoughts with! You’ll also get more insights on clarity and decision-making, finances, personal growth, and much more! And don’t forget to subscribe below ⤵️ to be on the loop for next posts and exclusive offers.
If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on this post, feel free to contact me at coach@martafores.com.
