Got Grit?

I recently read Angela Duckworth’s 2016 book entitled Grit:  The Power of Passion and Perseverance.  In Grit, Duckworth asks whether there are common traits among successful people in various walks in life.  Research indicates there is a common thread.  She defines that universal characteristic as “grit”.

Grit = Passion + Perseverance

Whenever an author encourages readers to “discover your passions” and to “do what you are passionate about”, it can give a reader pause.  What exactly is “passion”?  In poetry and anthemic rock songs, passion is a fiery, consuming emotion.   Passion can hijack normally rational people and make them do some irrational things.  But that’s not what passion means in this context.  Rather, passion is an interest that is so absorbing that one remains loyal to it.  I read and understood this to mean an interest that is intriguing, absorbing, worthy of commitment.

Perseverance is defined as the willingness to keep going, staying resilient despite setbacks or perceived failures.  A failure simply means the goal was not met “yet”.  A person demonstrating perseverance is driven to improve and keep improving for its own sake.  That drive to improve infuses every effort.

For success to happen, passion and perseverance are channeled in a particular direction.  Action occurs and results are seen, over time.  The key ingredient there is remaining consistent over time, working hard on something one believes is important, and remaining loyal to that effort and end goal despite any obstacles encountered.

I wish you grit.