Saint Paul the Apostle, Winston Churchill, U.S. Grant and Babe Ruth all knew the one secret to success that most of us overlook. Angela Lee Duckworth saw how this very important trait influenced these individuals and reintroduced the world to it. Even Duckworth’s highest performing and smartest students could not compete with this one thing.
After leaving teaching, Duckworth began studying organizations and found that it was not beauty, social intelligence, health or IQ that was most important to achieve success, but it was grit. In a TED talk, Angela defined grit as passion and perseverance for long-term goals. It is stamina, grinding every day, every week, and every month for years, until it becomes a reality. Grit is a marathon, not a sprint.
Saint Paul the Apostle writes to Timothy from Rome while he is in prison and his life is in danger. 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (ESV). Paul had survived his mission through incredible difficulties. He kept the faith and betrayed no one. Paul did what he needed to do when he should have done it, whether he felt like it or not.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill said, “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” Churchill was the Prime Minister during one of Britain’s difficult times, and received much opposition during the war. Churchill remained steadfast, as seen in his words, “we shall never surrender.”
George Herman “Babe” Ruth, Jr. grew up at St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys. Circumstances surrounding the reason Babe went to reformatory school are questionable. What we do know is that Babe made no excuses for his humble beginnings. He paid the price, did what he needed to do, and never gave up. Babe said, “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”
President Ulysses S. Grant reminds us of the most important lesson about grit. “The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity.”
When nothing else works, you will always have grit. I do not see grit as a skill you can obtain in 10,000 hours or a habit you can develop in 21 days. You are not born with grit. Grit is a character trait we get through a growth mindset and will experience over time.
Great post, Kirby. Not many people talk about the word “grit”, so it was read about individuals who use the word, and it live it out. I’ll have to watch more videos from Angela.
Grit is something that many people are starting to take notice of again. Like anything else it’ll come and go in cycles. It’s people like Angela who recognize it and then she changed careers to be a psychologist and began studying grit. I haven’t seen much after this TED talk. It is one of those talks that has impacted and unforgettable. I’m talking about it 2 years later. More and more people are writing about it like Carol Dweck (think spelling is correct) who wrote Mindset and another book called Willpower. I can’t recall that author looking forward to reading these.
Your excellent post here, Kirby, is right in line with Reade’s post this week, as well as my comment there.
On my own blog this week, I talked about being present, but that is actually how I maintain my “grit.” Your weekly posts are on focus, and this is a big focus strategy for me. It almost seems paradoxical, but in order to keep moving toward the end goal, I often have to micro-focus on right now – and on each “right now” – until the mission is accomplished.
Great points Erik I understand. You do have to focus on right now when it is time to be gritty. I visualize the future to keep me going, though. I’m focusing more on where I am at right now and where I want to be in the future. Asking myself, Why am I grinding every day, every week, every month? That vision keeps me pressing on and striving forward. I believe it requires a balance. Being mindful in the present moment is important. I practice mindfulness more during reflection and during moments of elicit awe. Maybe this is what you referred to. These things are those that give us the feeling of amazement, joy, and gratitude. When hiking with your son on a mountain trail or the overwhelming feeling you get when you see a child born. That to me is being in the present. In those thin places that have a deep spiritual meaning and connection.
Hi; this is one of those post we can never get enough of because the lesson about perseverance determination resilience, and just plain old stubbornness is one you have to live. and like many universal life lessons you will have to be reminded of it. I have been called the blind terminator by one radio show host. he said it was because i just keep moving forward no matter what is in front of me. thanks to his comments i now see myself as a expert in stick to itness and sometimes refer to myself as having a phd in hustle and muscle earned many times over from the university of life. great post, max
Thank you Maxwell. You really have lived a gritty life and are an example of inspiration for the world. Thank you for sharing your story.
One of the curious things about grit is that it likes company. When iron sharpens iron there will be sparks and heat!