“The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.”—Henry Ward Beecher
At times in life we feel like we are not progressing. When we do, we must ask ourselves “why?” Is it because we just haven’t pushed long and hard enough in the right direction? Or is because we are resisting the forces that are guiding us in another direction?
Those who persevere will ultimately succeed. Or, at least, as George Eliot wrote, “failure after long perseverance is much grander than never to have a striving good enough to be called a failure.” Effort in the direction of (extra)ordinary success is always more rewarding than to never have tried at all.
One who is obstinate is the wrong kind of stubborn. Pigheaded is not the same as tenacious. Perhaps the line is fine, but the one who is pigheaded resists progress. The tenacious one drives progress. Obstinacy holds its ground. Perseverance moves mountains.
I can be a bit of both. Growth favors the person who can move his or her stubbornness from obstinacy to perseverance. The difference is in drive versus resistance. Ground may not be gained or lost, but the underlying attitude shows itself.
Anyone who knows me knows I am stubborn. I quick look at Thesaurus reveals a diversity of synonyms for “stubborn”. Categorically, these run the spectrum from persistent to obstinate. Those synonyms that I would classify as positive include determined and tenacious. Fixed, pigheaded, inflexible, mulish, headstrong, and wrongheaded fit the obstinate category. Synonyms such as adamant and unmoved are circumstantial. When circumstances require, it is good that one be adamant and unmoved—reasonably so. Moral fortitude is a worthy trait.
Emotional well-centeredness requires that we know when to push and when to stand. Strong-willed is well-centered. Strong won’t never serves progression.
I hope I am learning the difference. I hope I am less bullheaded than I have been in the past. I also hope that I am confident enough to believe in myself and my path. I hope I am assured enough to persist toward my goals and to resist the forces that seek to oppose me on my path. I am confident that I have the wisdom to know “will” versus “won’t”. Persistence will always defeat obstinacy.
Be your best today—persist—and be better tomorrow.
Image source: http://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/18/photos-womens-wrestling-at-rio-2016-olympics/