Recently, I engaged in an interesting discussion with a friend of mine on how perseverance can be underestimated, especially when it comes to getting ahead in life.
Like a river that eventually cracks through a rock to resume its course, there's something about perseverance that equips us to navigate through all the obstacles life throws at us as we work towards our desired outcome(s).
My friend mentioned that perseverance requires will power, which is underdeveloped for many people by default but this starts to change when life begins to throw curveballs at us.
While he was mentioning all these things about perseverance, my mind began to extend my viewpoint to encompass other aspects of this topic, in a more general or global perspective.
This made me realize that there are certain instances where perseverance can be a fool's errand, in the sense that it ignores the dynamic nature of life and its ever-changing landscape.
The Pivotal Moment: Discerning When to Change Course
Forging through obstacles can be commendable. But clinging to a fixed course when the fundamentals themselves have shifted can lead to wasted time, resources, and even lost opportunities.
Two key scenarios in point:
When the fundamentals have broken: Imagine trying to build a house on a foundation made of sand. No amount of perseverance will keep it from eventually crumbling. Similarly, if the core assumptions or principles underpinning our efforts are flawed, clinging to them will only lead to frustration and wasted resources.
When the landscape has shifted dramatically: The world is dynamic. markets evolve, technologies advance, and societal needs change. Persevering with an outdated strategy in a vastly altered landscape can be like pushing a square peg into a round hole. It requires immense effort, and it won't yield the desired results.
Both key scenarios can be combined, a shift in dynamics often leads to fundamentals becoming broken. For me, a good rule of thumb is to only pivot when the fundamentals have changed. Otherwise, continue to persevere.
Essentially, knowing when to persevere and when to pivot is a matter of discernment and adaptability. Discernment comes through listening to our gut and staying attuned to the big picture.
data is definitely crucial, but I think intuition plays a bigger role in decision making. If something feels fundamentally off, then don't ignore that inner voice.
Likewise, don't get overwhelmed or bogged down in the smaller details. Always keep your long-term goals in sight and ask yourself if your current path genuinely leads you closer to them.
Adaptability comes through experimenting, gathering data and feedback. I think it's understandable to resist change, since we're creatures of habit.
That said, we should learn to be proactive about testing new waters. Through conducting small experiments to explore alternative approaches and gather insights.
Then, seek objective data and honest feedback to assess progress, identify roadblocks, and understand whether our approach aligns with the evolving reality.
Thanks for reading!! Share your thoughts below on the comments.