MENTAL MODEL · M10811

Deep Persistence

CulturemediumChinese Philosophy

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Updated 2026-08-10

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INTRODUCTION

English translation pending.

CORE DEFINITION

From the initial line of the Hexagram Heng, or Duration, in the Book of Changes: deep persistence brings misfortune even to the persevering. Digging too deep or pursuing permanence too far leads to ossification and harm, and even turbulent persistence is better than deep persistence. When circumstances change, stubbornly deepening the same well is not constancy but blind rigidity.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

- Name the persistence trap: ask whether constancy has hardened into path dependence. - Check against change: verify the environment still rewards the direction you keep digging. - Stop at the right depth: pursue persistence with measure rather than maximum depth.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Persistence becomes destructive when commitment outruns context: the deeper you dig into one position, the more its costs are sunk and the harder redirection becomes. Duration must carry a limit, so continuing past that limit converts a virtue into a trap.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

Distinguish healthy persistence from excess before committing deeper. 2. Hold to steady norms without demanding perfection. 3. Avoid over-digging in early stages where costs are still unclear. 4. Temper persistence with moderation and regular recalibration.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

Learning progress0%

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Source support: Explicit

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zh.wikisource.orghttps://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E5%91%A8%E6%98%93/%E6%81%92ZH · Explicit
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