Determination vs. Persistence — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 16, 2023
"Determination is the firmness of purpose; Persistence is continuing steadfastly despite difficulty."
Difference Between Determination and Persistence
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Determination refers to an inner resolve or a definitive decision to achieve something, often denoting a sense of purpose or a goal. Persistence, however, denotes a continued effort toward a goal, even when faced with challenges or obstacles.
Determination is often considered a mindset, a mental decision made to focus efforts on a certain outcome. In contrast, Persistence is an action, representing the continual pursuit of a goal, often over a long period and despite hardship or opposition.
Determination can be seen as the driving force that gets a project started and gives the vision for the desired outcome. Persistence is what keeps the momentum going and helps individuals push through when they encounter obstacles.
While determination is often linked to a single-mindedness and an individual’s strength of character in deciding to pursue a goal, persistence reflects tenacity and the refusal to give up, relent, or let go.
Both determination and persistence are integral to success. Without the initial firmness of purpose that determination provides, one may not start a challenging journey. Similarly, without persistence, small setbacks could derail the entire process, preventing the achievement of the goal.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Firmness in pursuing a goal, often from a mental resolve
Continued action despite obstacles
Temporal Aspect
Can be a singular, momentous decision
Involves a sustained period of time
Nature
More of a mental state or decision
More of an ongoing action or behavior
Obstacles
Implies resolve despite potential future obstacles
Implies continued effort despite current obstacles
Relationship to Goals
Sets the direction and focus for goals
Ensures goals are pursued until achieved
Compare with Definitions
Determination
"The quality of being resolute; firmness of purpose."
Her determination was evident in her decision to pursue a degree despite the challenges.
Persistence
"Continuance of an effect after its cause is removed."
Due to the persistence of symptoms, further treatment was required.
Determination
"A decision or judgment made after consideration."
The determination of the court was final and decisive.
Persistence
"Perseverance in any enterprise or task."
The difficult project required a level of persistence most people don’t possess.
Determination
"The process of establishing something precisely."
Through careful determination, they identified the unknown substance as a rare mineral.
Persistence
"The act of persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc."
Her persistence in studying, no matter the circumstances, was inspirational.
Determination
"Control or influence over a situation or development."
Despite external pressures, she exercised determination over her career path.
Persistence
The act of persisting.
Determination
Determination is a positive emotional feeling that involves persevering towards a difficult goal in spite of obstacles. Determination occurs prior to goal attainment and serves to motivate behavior that will help achieve one's goal.
Persistence
The state or quality of being persistent; persistency.
Determination
The quality of being determined; firmness of purpose
Those who succeed because of sheer grit and determination
Persistence
Continuance of an effect after the cause is removed
Persistence of vision.
Determination
The process of establishing something exactly by calculation or research
Determination of molecular structures
Persistence
The property of being persistent.
You've got to admire her persistence. She's asked him out every day for a month even though she keeps turning him down.
Determination
The controlling or deciding of the nature or outcome of something
Genetic sex determination
Persistence
(computer science) Of data, the property of continuing to exist after the termination of the program.
Once written to a disk file, the data has persistence: it will still be there tomorrow when we run the next program.
Determination
The cessation of an estate or interest.
Persistence
(meteorology) Continuation of the previous day's weather (particularly temperature and precipitation statistics).
Determination
A tendency to move in a fixed direction.
Persistence
(mathematics) The number of times an operation can be iteratively applied to a number before it reaches a permanently constant state.
2=The persistence of the number 39 under the operation of multiplying the digits of the number is three, because 3x9 = 27, 2x7 = 14, and 1x4 = 4, and no further iterations will change the number again.
Determination
Firmness of purpose; resolve
Approached the task with determination.
Persistence
The quality or state of being persistent; staying or continuing quality; hence, in an unfavorable sense, doggedness; obstinacy.
Determination
A fixed intention or resolution
Returned to school with a determination to finish.
Persistence
The continuance of an effect after the cause which first gave rise to it is removed
Determination
The ascertaining or fixing of the quantity, quality, position, or character of something
A determination of the ship's longitude.
A determination of the universe's mass.
Persistence
The property of a continuous and connected period of time
Determination
The result of such ascertaining.
Persistence
Persistent determination
Determination
The act of making or arriving at a decision
After long determination, she decided to move to Utah.
Persistence
The act of persisting or persevering; continuing or repeating behavior;
His perseveration continued to the point where it was no longer appropriate
Determination
The decision reached
It is my determination to sell the house.
Persistence
"The quality of continuing steadfastly or firmly in some state or course of action."
His persistence was key in his journey to becoming a renowned musician.
Determination
The settling of a question or case by an authoritative decision or pronouncement, especially by a judicial body
The choice of a foster home was left to the determination of the court.
Persistence
"The continued or prolonged existence of something."
The persistence of ancient traditions in the modern world fascinates historians.
Determination
The decision or pronouncement made.
Determination
The bringing about of a result or outcome
The determination of hair color by the genes.
Determination
(Archaic) A fixed movement or tendency toward an object or end.
Determination
The defining of a concept through its constituent elements.
Determination
The qualification of a concept or proposition to render it more definite or specific.
Determination
The act of determining, or the state of being determined.
Through sheer determination, we managed to escape from the tornado.
Determination
Direction or tendency to a certain end; impulsion.
Determination
The quality of mind which reaches definite conclusions; decision of character; resoluteness.
Determination
(countable) The state of decision; a judicial decision, or ending of controversy.
Determination
(countable) That which is determined upon; result of deliberation; purpose; conclusion formed; fixed resolution.
Determination
A flow, rush, or tendency to a particular part
A determination of blood to the head
Determination
(countable) The act, process, or result of any accurate measurement, as of length, volume, weight, intensity, etc.
The determination of the wavelength of light
The determination of the level of salt in sea water
The determination of the oxygen in the air
Determination
The act of defining a concept or notion by giving its essential constituents.
Determination
The addition of a distinguishing feature to a concept or notion, thus limiting its extent.
Determination
The act of determining the relations of an object, such as genus and species; the referring of minerals, plants, or animals, to the species to which they belong; classification
I am indebted to a friend for the determination of most of these shells.
Determination
Bringing to an end; termination; limit.
Determination
The act of determining, or the state of being determined.
Determination
Bringing to an end; termination; limit.
A speedy determination of that war.
Determination
Direction or tendency to a certain end; impulsion.
Remissness can by no means consist with a constant determination of the will . . . to the greatest apparent good.
Determination
The quality of mind which reaches definite conclusions; decision of character; resoluteness.
He only is a well-made man who has a good determination.
Determination
The state of decision; a judicial decision, or ending of controversy.
Determination
That which is determined upon; result of deliberation; purpose; conclusion formed; fixed resolution.
So bloodthirsty a determination to obtain convictions.
Determination
A flow, rush, or tendency to a particular part; as, a determination of blood to the head.
Determination
The act, process, or result of any accurate measurement, as of length, volume, weight, intensity, etc.; as, the determination of the ohm or of the wave length of light; the determination of the salt in sea water, or the oxygen in the air.
Determination
The act of defining a concept or notion by giving its essential constituents.
Determination
The act of determining the relations of an object, as regards genus and species; the referring of minerals, plants, or animals, to the species to which they belong; classification; as, I am indebted to a friend for the determination of most of these shells.
Determination
The act of determining the properties of something
Determination
The quality of being determined to do or achieve something;
His determination showed in his every movement
He is a man of purpose
Determination
A position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration;
A decision unfavorable to the opposition
His conclusion took the evidence into account
Satisfied with the panel's determination
Determination
The act of making up your mind about something;
The burden of decision was his
He drew his conclusions quickly
Determination
"A fixed intention or resolution."
With determination, he announced his plans to run a marathon within a year.
Common Curiosities
Does persistence always lead to success?
Not always, but persistence increases the likelihood of overcoming obstacles and, therefore, the chances of success.
Can determination lead to persistence?
Yes, determination, as a firmness of purpose, can create the foundation for ongoing persistence in action.
How do you measure determination?
Determination is often measured by personal resolve, clarity of purpose, and the decisiveness in decision-making.
Can determination change over time?
Yes, determination can evolve based on new information, experiences, or changes in one's situation or perspectives.
What factors contribute to persistence?
Factors include passion for the goal, resilience to setbacks, and a belief in the objective’s value.
Do determination and persistence affect each other?
They often do; strong determination can foster persistence, and being persistent can reinforce one’s determination.
Can one be naturally more determined or persistent?
Some may have natural inclinations, but both qualities can be developed through conscious effort and experience.
Is too much determination harmful?
Excessive determination can lead to inflexibility or neglect of new information or perspectives.
Is persistence possible without determination?
Persistence, while easier with determination, can exist without it as a sheer continued effort despite difficulties.
Are determination and persistence considered personality traits?
They can be, as some individuals naturally exhibit more determination and persistence than others.
Can determination be developed?
Yes, through building confidence, clarity of goals, and cultivating a strong will.
Are there physical benefits to having determination?
Indirectly, yes. Determination can lead to goal-oriented behavior, which may include health and fitness goals.
Can persistence become negative?
Yes, if it leads to an inability to let go of unattainable goals or neglects one’s well-being.
How is persistence sustained?
Through continuous motivation, a focus on small victories, and adaptability in the face of challenges.
Can persistence affect mental health?
It can. Positive persistence can improve self-esteem and goal attainment, but excessive persistence may lead to stress and burnout.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
