Stubbornness isn’t necessarily negative. It’s a way to say: “I’m committed to my beliefs & values. I might change them but not right now..”
Have you ever been called stubborn? Maybe it felt like an insult, a jab at your character. But what if I told you that stubbornness isn't always a bad thing? In fact, it can be a powerful indicator of your commitment to your beliefs and values.
Picture a mighty oak tree standing tall in a storm. Its roots firmly planted in the ground, it sways with the wind but never breaks. That resilience, that steadfastness, that's stubbornness in its purest form. It's not about being unyielding or inflexible; it's about holding onto what matters most to you, even in the face of adversity.
Think of it like driving down a winding road. You have your destination in mind, but along the way, you encounter detours, roadblocks, and unexpected turns. Being stubborn is like keeping your hands on the wheel, staying the course even when the journey gets tough. It's a refusal to be swayed by every passing opinion or obstacle.
But here's the thing: being stubborn doesn't mean you're closed off to change. It's more like putting a bookmark in a book. You're acknowledging that there may be other perspectives or paths worth exploring, but for now, you're staying true to where you are. It's a balance between standing firm and being open-minded, a delicate dance between conviction and curiosity.
Imagine a potter molding clay on a wheel. With each turn, they shape and reshape, molding the clay into something beautiful. That's what it means to be stubborn yet open to change. You're willing to mold and adapt, but you're also grounded in your core principles.
Now, let's apply this to everyday life. You might encounter situations where your stubbornness is put to the test. Maybe it's sticking to your exercise routine even when you feel like giving up, or refusing to compromise your values in a challenging work environment. In those moments, remember the oak tree and the winding road. Stay rooted in your beliefs, but remain flexible enough to bend with the winds of change.
It's important to recognize that being stubborn isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. There's a time and a place for it, just like there's a time and a place for everything in life. The key is knowing when to hold on and when to let go, when to stand your ground and when to take a step back.
So, the next time someone accuses you of being stubborn, don't take it as an insult. Instead, see it as a badge of honor, a testament to your unwavering dedication to what you hold dear. Embrace your stubbornness, but always be willing to listen, learn, and grow.
Now, I leave you with this question: How can you harness your stubbornness to stay true to your beliefs while remaining open to change?
*To obtain more inspiration and motivation to achieve your goals, you definitely want to check out my extensive list of growth goals. This page contains SMART goal ideas that can help you establish new aspirations and attain greater heights in your personal growth journey. I utilized this page myself to create my own list of 100 life goals, which I dedicated a decade to pursuing.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
