Was Steve Jobs partially right about success? Science reveals what makes 'perseverance' actually pay off

Steve Jobs once said, “I’m convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” The Apple co-founder, who poured decades of his life into reshaping technology, believed that the ability to push through difficult times was what truly defined winners.

In many ways, he wasn’t wrong. Startups fail, creative blocks hit, ideas flop — and in those moments, giving up often feels easier than staying the course. But a new report published in Inc. points to a more nuanced truth: perseverance might keep you in the game, but it’s not always what helps you win it.

The Missing Half: Thinking, Adapting, Evolving
According to a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, it isn’t just grit that predicts success — it’s what you do with that grit. Specifically, it’s about whether you possess a “strategic mindset.”

This doesn’t just mean being clever or organized. It’s about metacognition — the ability to reflect on your approach, ask better questions, self-monitor, and make thoughtful adjustments when your first strategy fails. Unlike blind determination, a strategic mindset allows you to recognize when it’s time to pivot instead of just pushing harder.

As the researchers put it, the successful pursuit of goals requires more than well-rehearsed actions. It demands “thinking through and figuring out” new and better ways to meet challenges, especially when old tactics stop working.

How to Shift Your Mindset
So what does this look like in practice? According to the Inc. report, it begins with asking the right questions when you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or lost in the fog of ambition.

Instead of merely pushing forward, the study encourages people to pause and reflect. Questions like “Is there a better way of doing this?” or “What can I do to help myself?” help create distance between you and the problem. They nudge you toward innovation rather than repetition.

Even though these questions may feel redundant — especially when multiple emotions hit at once — they serve as prompts to reroute your energy. For instance, if you’re writing, and the words won’t come, it might not be a matter of willpower. Perhaps you need more research, a new structure, or a different tone. That small adjustment, not just brute force, could unlock the way forward.

The Science Behind the Strategy
What makes this study especially compelling is its broad base. Researchers found that those who regularly employed strategic thinking were more likely to succeed — across contexts. College students earned higher GPAs. Professionals made more progress on health, career, and fitness goals. Even performance on novel tasks improved.

In short, those who kept tweaking their approach, rather than rigidly sticking to one, saw measurable benefits. It wasn’t just about staying committed — it was about staying curious.

What Jobs Got Right; And What the Research Adds
To be fair, Steve Jobs didn’t discount flexibility or insight. He championed unconventional paths and the importance of wide-ranging experiences. His reverence for perseverance, though, often became the headline quote — the mantra repeated in countless entrepreneurial circles.

But what this new science reveals is that perseverance without perspective can become a trap. It’s not the long hours or the sleepless nights that separate the doers from the dreamers — it’s the ability to stop, reflect, and change direction when needed.

So the next time you feel blocked, don’t just power through. Take a beat. Ask a better question. Rethink the plan. Because real perseverance isn’t just about never quitting — it’s about never quitting the search for a better way.