The Trap of ‘Staying Down’: Leonardo Freixas on True Persistence vs. Stagnation

In a recent LinkedIn post, Leonardo Freixas discusses the subtle but critical difference between genuine persistence and remaining stuck in a rut. Freixas uses a powerful analogy of an athlete who doesn’t quit but simply stays down, highlighting how this can be mistaken for resilience when it’s actually a form of stagnation.

The Illusion of Persistence

Freixas challenges the common perception of persistence, suggesting that simply continuing an action without adaptation is not enough to achieve progress. He points out that from an external viewpoint, an individual who remains engaged might appear persistent, but internally, if the approach and decisions remain the same, the outcome will likely not change.

“From the outside, it looks like persistence. Inside the play, nothing is changing.”

This observation, as Freixas notes, is where many professional endeavors can falter. The act of ‘showing up’ or ‘staying in the game’ can create a false sense of progress, masking a deeper lack of movement or strategic adjustment. According to Freixas, this can lead to a cycle of repeating the same actions and expecting different results.

When Staying in the Game Means Being Out of Position

Freixas elaborates on this concept, arguing that an individual can be physically present and mentally engaged in a situation yet still be in an ineffective or disadvantageous position. This state, he implies, is a critical bottleneck that prevents forward momentum. The key insight Freixas offers is that true progress requires more than just enduring; it demands a conscious effort to change one’s approach.

The Source of Momentum

The core of Freixas’s message revolves around the true source of momentum. He asserts that momentum is not generated by merely staying in a situation or continuing a familiar pattern. Instead, it stems from a deliberate act of re-evaluation and adaptation.

“Momentum doesn’t come from staying. It comes from getting up differently.”

As Freixas articulates, the critical factor is not the act of continuing, but the act of getting up ‘differently.’ This implies a need for introspection, learning from the current situation, and then applying that learning through a revised strategy or action. He suggests that this is the essence of effective persistence – not just enduring, but evolving.

Moving Beyond Stagnation

Freixas concludes by emphasizing that the path forward involves recognizing when continued effort without change becomes counterproductive. The challenge, as he presents it, is to distinguish between active persistence that leads to growth and passive endurance that leads to stagnation.

“You can stay in the game and still be out of position.”

In Freixas’s view, true resilience and success are found not in the refusal to quit, but in the wisdom to change tactics, to ‘get up differently,’ and to ensure that continued engagement is always coupled with strategic adaptation. His post serves as a valuable reminder for professionals to regularly assess whether their efforts are truly moving them forward or simply keeping them in place.