Reality check: Have you mistaken stubbornness for persistence?
To put it simply, Persistence is single-directed towards the aim unaffected by any distractions but stubbornness is when you do whatever you feel like no matter whether the act is for or against the goal you decided before.
You may think you are persistent but actually being stubborn. If you are stubborn, you will do what you want at a particular moment. But if you are persistent, you will always take steps towards your goal, not what you want to do compulsively at that moment.
Persistence is NOT something that you can build once and for all. It's a continuous and conscious process. How? Because every moment before doing anything you will have to check if it will really take you closer to what you decided as your goal. You will have to be straight with yourself and see that your act is not compulsive and distracted in any way.
If you are stubborn, you keep changing directions every now and then, thus reducing your chances to reach your goal. You may still reach your goal sometimes but by accident or luck, not by a sure method. That's why in most cases, stubborn people fail to be persistent and consequently never succeed. They always let themselves be ruled by their mind which is distracted easily and never live the way they really want. Therefore, Persistence Empowers You while Stubbornness leads to your Downfall.
Now, are you Confused like me if you are stubborn or persistent? Well then, that's good. If you are in the doubt that you are doing something in persistence or stubbornness, you will choose to do the best for yourself. When you exercise your choice you use your intelligence and become aware.
Another question may arise now - Why do even persistent people give up on what they wanted to do?
Let me clear you that it is an absolute Myth.
Your Persistence can NEVER be affected by challenges and grave situations. Persistence is completely independent of external conditions. It is something that you Develop Within Yourself.
What leads you to give up in difficult situations is the fearful thoughts and emotions that YOU CREATE within yourself and Let it Enslave You.
So, if you are conscious enough, you will definitely be persistent. Let's work on that and create a more conscious and responsible youth with a tremendous sense of purpose and inclusiveness