The Fine Line Between Determination and Stubbornness

We often admire people who refuse to quit, those who pursue their goals relentlessly despite setbacks. This quality — determination — is widely celebrated, and rightly so. But there’s a close cousin to determination that’s not as helpful: stubbornness. Though they may look similar on the surface, determination and stubbornness come from very different places and often lead to very different outcomes. Understanding the difference between the two can help us avoid unnecessary frustration and stay aligned with our goals in a healthy, productive way.

Determination is the steady, purposeful pursuit of a goal. It’s marked by resilience, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt when things don’t go as planned. Determined individuals stay focused on the outcome they want, but they’re not rigid about how they get there. They take setbacks as opportunities to learn, embrace feedback, and adjust without losing momentum. For example, an entrepreneur might launch a product that flops. Rather than giving up or insisting that everyone else is wrong, they evaluate what went wrong, make changes, and try again — all while keeping their eyes on the broader goal of building a successful business.

Stubbornness, by contrast, is inflexible persistence — continuing a course of action even when it’s clearly not working. Stubborn people tend to ignore feedback, resist change, and push forward not because it serves their ultimate goal, but because they’re emotionally attached to their original plan. Their behavior is often driven by pride, fear of being wrong, or a desire to prove a point. Using the same entrepreneurial example, a stubborn business owner might stick with a failing product out of sheer refusal to admit it needs to change. The goal shifts from “building a successful business” to “proving I was right all along,” which rarely ends well.

At its core, the difference between determination and stubbornness comes down to whether we are willing to grow. Determined people are committed to progress. They remain emotionally grounded and intellectually flexible, ready to evolve as new information comes in. Stubborn people, on the other hand, often get stuck — not because they aren’t trying hard, but because they refuse to change course. One path leads to growth and achievement; the other often leads to frustration and dead ends.

To recognize which trait you're practicing, it helps to reflect on a few key questions. Am I open to feedback and willing to change course if necessary? Do I care more about reaching my goal than about being right? Am I adjusting based on what’s working, or simply pushing forward out of habit or pride? These kinds of self-checks can help you stay grounded in true determination and avoid the trap of stubbornness.

Persistence is essential for success, but only when it's guided by wisdom. Determination says, “I’ll find a way,” while stubbornness says, “This is the only way.” By staying open, adaptable, and purpose-driven, we can make sure our persistence helps us move forward — not hold us back.