Persistence vs Perseverance
Although the definitions of persistence and perseverance are often similar in dictionaries, there is a distinction between the two words. In some situations, the words might have a similar meaning, but this doesn’t mean they can be used interchangeably. This article will examine the differences between persistence and perseverance while providing a better understanding of each term.
Meaning of Persistence
The Oxford English Dictionary defines persistence as continuing to do something despite difficulty or opposition. A persistent individual makes a tremendous effort to achieve their goals, showing immense dedication towards goal achievement. They are single-mindedly committed to achieving it.
Persistence can be seen in small children, such as a child who continuously demands their parents to buy them something and won’t stop until they get it. This is a classic example of persistence.
However, persistence can sometimes be negative for the individual. For instance, consider a relationship where both individuals suffer, and no matter how much they persist, it only gets worse. In such a situation, persistence is a waste of energy and commitment because the expected achievement is futile. This highlights that the key feature in persistence is the individual’s single-mindedness towards achieving a particular goal.
Meaning of Perseverance
The definition of perseverance is similar to persistence. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, perseverance can be defined as continuing a course of action despite a lack of success. However, unlike persistence, perseverance involves overcoming obstacles or difficult situations.
For example, imagine facing numerous family problems and work issues simultaneously. You may feel overwhelmed by the situation but keep working hard and enduring until the situation improves. This is perseverance. Unlike persistence, where there is single-mindedness towards achieving a goal, perseverance is a steady determination to overcome life’s difficult situations.
This reveals that there is a difference between the two words.
Key Takeaways
- Persistence refers to continuing a task despite difficulty until the goal is achieved, while perseverance refers to overcoming a difficult situation through strong determination.
- Persistence denotes single-mindedness towards achieving a goal, whereas perseverance denotes overcoming an obstacle.
- Persistence can sometimes have negative outcomes when the goal is futile, but perseverance does not have negative outcomes.
