What is GRIT?
According to Angela Duckworth, author of "Grit," she states its a combination of passion and perseverance. It's not talent that achieves outstanding results, but passion and persistence.
Drawing on her own powerful story as the daughter of a scientist who frequently noted her lack of “genius,” Duckworth, now a celebrated researcher and professor, describes her early eye-opening stints in teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience, which led to the hypothesis that what really drives success is not “genius” but a unique combination of passion and long-term perseverance.
I highly recommend reading this book, Grit, as she takes readers into the field to visit cadets struggling through their first days at West Point, teachers working in some of the toughest schools, and young finalists in the National Spelling Bee. She also mines fascinating insights from history and shows what can be gleaned from modern experiments in peak performance. Finally, she shares what she’s learned from interviewing dozens of high achievers—from JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff to Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll.
Among Grit’s most valuable insights:
*Why any effort you make ultimately counts twice toward your goal
*How grit can be learned, regardless of I.Q. or circumstances
*How lifelong interest is triggered
*How much of optimal practice is suffering and how much ecstasy
*Which is better for your child—a warm embrace or high standards
*The magic of the Hard Thing Rule
Winningly personal, insightful, and even life-changing, Grit is a book about what goes through your head when you fall down, and how that—not talent or luck—makes all the difference (www.amazon.com)
I read this book in my doctoral classes. I identified with it right away. My parents were high school graduates. Their expectations of me on being the oldest of seven children was very high.
1) College.
2) Marriage.
3) Children.
4) Career.
The last two were interchangeable. It was the late 70s when I graduated from high school and went off to college. I lasted two weeks and moved back home. They were sorely disappointed in me as I was in myself.
After that it took me over 40 years to complete my final degree (Ed.D). If I am being transparent with you, the order in which I completed their expectations were:
1) Child.
2) Marriage.
3) Career.
4) College.
Again think about that...late 70s...child first, marriage, career and then college. My dad explained it succinctly one day by stating, "you know you were a breech baby." He was referring to the position I entered the world and seemed to manipulate it thereafter.
What I have discovered from my life's journey is that I possess grit. Passion, perseverance, and persistence. Even after failing my second stats class I hung in there, re-did the class with the same professor, passed with an A, and continued to write my dissertation. Even in a pandemic, with no stage to walk and no ceremony to attend, I graduated and took on the moniker "Dr."
Do you have grit? Do you need grit? It's considered a leadership skill, and like so many, it can be learned. Read the book. Find your passion. Focus on the persistence. Celebrate the perseverance!
~ What She Said, Beverly
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