Some might consider persistence and commitment to be equal, but they are not. One can easily commit to something but lack the will power to persist long enough to achieve their desired outcome. True persistence does require commitment.

A good definition of persistence is the ability to change your plan and each time that it is changed you believe with 100% certainty that it will work this time. True persistence takes someone with enough self awareness to accept the fact that some part of the plan may need to be changed.

Persistence is not following a path blindly hoping that it will lead you to your dreams. You must take a good honest look at the path that you are traveling and ask yourself some tough questions. Am I going the right way?

What obstacles are stopping me? What may slow me down in the future? You must be willing to give up all the simple pleasures that may block your path. Even thoughts that are wasted on unrelated things should be banished from your mind. One can not find the right path when the mind is clattered with random thoughts of the current situation.

Commitment seems to be the popular term among the ordinary people. People say that they are committed to their job, spouse or whatever. Commitment can lead to insanity and stagnation. I have little respect for committed people that do not persist. Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. You may be committed to your spouse and expect your commitment to change their feeling toward you. You are simply going through the motions without looking at the situation. Commitment is good but one must always persist in their commitments.