Developing GRIT... Are You Ready?
Have you ever met someone who thrives under adversity? Someone who seems to transform their challenges into opportunities. Who are those people? What sets them apart? Perhaps you are one of them.
In her TED talk, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth describes people that have the innate capacity to find opportunity despite adversity as those that align their passion and determination over time as possessing GRIT. This topic was briefly touched on in my blog, Beyond Half-time Adjustments, however it is something that deserves a deeper dive.
Based on her research, Duckworth describes grit in the following way:
Passion + Perseverance = Achievement
It is the passionate perseverance toward a very ambitious and long-term goal that often predicts future achievement. It may not be seen in the short term and often when goals are attained those on the outside may see it as momentary. But the truth is in the focused, daily grind. It separates the grain from the chafe, those who are successful from those who fail.
Grit is what separates the best from the rest!
Although common scholastics focus on and assess IQ, it does not necessarily predict success. Duckworth suggests it isn’t just your IQ – nor your EQ, SQ (or any other Q) – but some unique combination of these when combined with grit that builds self-confidence and leads to success.
Grit is the difference maker.
And grit is not just the momentary push that gets you to the top of the hill. It is the grind that aligns your passions and aspirations day in and day out – not just for the week, the month, but sometimes for years.
The problem that a lot of people face is that they seek the shortcut to success. Instant gratification. Immediate transformation. Early recognition. They want to work less while still achieving more. Unfortunately, that’s not how success works. Embrace these simple truths:
Nothing of value in life comes easily. Success is never a coincidence.
Are you willing to do what it takes to reach your goals? I believe that the most meaningful goals require an inordinate amount of hard work, determination, discipline, commitment, and sacrifice. But get real with yourself — are you ready to go all-in? How bad do you want to succeed – and what drives you?
Don’t have it? No need to worry – you can.
The good news is that grit can be developed over time – but requires adopting a growth mindset. Shifting from the I’m not enough to embracing the I can and I will belief in self.
5 Characteristics of GRIT
Duckworth is the first to say that the essence of grit remains elusive. Although described as the alignment of passion and perseverance over time, I believe there are several additional characteristics of grit that can help provide greater attribute understanding and create a focused platform for personal development.
1. Courage
In one of my favorite movies, Saving Private Ryan is a powerful and evocative World War II epic from director Steven Spielberg. Focusing on and dealing with the value of life and the personal toll that war takes on one's humanity, it depicts the astonishing courage of men under fire aligned with a task given despite unfathomable odds and personal sacrifice.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but action despite fear.
Recognize, courage is not limited to physical bravery, but rather examples of courage include taking a chance when others will not; following your vision, no matter where it takes you; standing up for what you believe in, especially when your beliefs are unpopular; or simply doing the right thing even though easier options exist.
Courageous people are patient, hopeful, resolute, and willing to say ‘yes’ while having the guts to say ‘no’. They are not afraid to stand for what they believe is right, even if it is challenged or unpopular – and do not fear asking for help. They forgive and move on – often accepting the apology they never received.
Courageous people stay the course when others have abandoned ship.
2. Conscientious
Conscientiousness encompasses the traits of being thorough, careful, and vigilant. It implies a desire to do well regardless of the task while concurrently being efficient and organized. It finds the balance not just with completing the task, but doing it right.
That perception of right is commonly founded in experience and perceptions, but it has also been noted that conscientious people are generally virtuous – grounded in solid moral principles and values. They balance the desire to not only do things right, but to do the right thing. In addition, they stick to their convictions and when facing opposition, strengthen their relentless determination. It is that dogged mindset that drives our third characteristic.
3. Perseverance
In his first speech after taking office as British PM, Churchill said bluntly, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” This was followed shortly thereafter by: “. . . we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”
Belief.
You can only imagine the resonating utterance that remained unspoken…
I believe we can, we will, and we are more than enough for this…
In other words, his plan for success: Perseverance.
Persevering despite the odds, against common logic, and in contrast to the nay-sayers sets the stage for incredible revelation.
I’ve never met a gritty person who didn’t have a story to tell.
The only difference between those who succeed versus those who fail is their willingness to persevere and continue failing forward. It’s knowing that your desire to achieve your dreams burns brighter than any obstacle.
It is often setting a goal so audacious your current self doesn’t believe it possible - then growing into the person who can.
“If you are going through hell, keep going,” Winston Churchill famously said. Indeed, to many people, perseverance is synonymous with pain and suffering but those with true grit are able to flip their perspective on perseverance 180 degrees and view struggle as a doorway to success and bringing value to others – creating significance. However, one of the distinctions between someone who succeeds and someone who is just spending a lot of time doing something is this: practice must have purpose. That’s where long-term goals come in. They provide the framework and context to anchor on your passion - cultivating drive, resilience, passion, perseverance, and courage… grit.
A river cuts through a rock not because of its strength, but because of its persistence.
4. Passion
I have to admit, I really enjoy the optimism and insights of Simon Sinek. In his Start With Why, he articulates so well the value proposition of passion. Where there is passion, there is always a purpose. Passionate people know themselves inside and out. They have a clear understanding of their values, beliefs, and needs. It isn’t about the how or the what… but the why.
“Working hard for something we don’t care about is called Stress. Working hard for something we love is called Passion.” - Sinek
Passionate people live in alignment with their truth and inspire others to do the same. Living with passion is about paying attention to and following what makes you come alive – often sustaining you along the way.
“Being driven is not the same as being passionate. Passion is a love for the journey. Drive is a need to reach the destination.” - Sinek
Passion creates excellence when mediocrity will do. Passionate people have a deep sense of purpose and are often selfless in their actions. Knowing themselves – they have a clear sense of their values and beliefs and live by them. They generally accept themselves as imperfect and growing, seeing life as a journey of choices and options. Although forward focused and self-aware, they also celebrate the success of others.
“Our passion lies deep in who we are, not what we do.” - Sinek
5. Resilience
Gritty people are resilient, in the sense that they thrive despite adversity. They reframe challenges as opportunities and do the work required to keep moving. They bend but they don’t break. They have capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and learn while in the crucible.
It is the mental reservoir of strength that people can call on in times of need to cope with stress and hardship.
Although some suggest that resilience is a test of how tough you are. Others speak of that intestinal fortitude that, despite the odds, has everything to do with your willingness to keep trying after others have given up.
This does not mean that resilient people experience less distress, grief, or anxiety than others. However, it does mean that they handle such difficulties in ways that foster strength and growth. In many cases, they may emerge stronger than before. Resilient people are also aware enough to know when to raise the white flag – but commonly press beyond what others thought possible.
Uniquely, resilient people also tend to be optimistic. They approach life with a sense of humor, are able to laugh at themselves, and to reframe situations and experiences to see a lighter side. Resilient people also commonly have an unwavering moral compass or personal beliefs. They don’t compare themselves to others, knowing instead that they are their own yardstick of success – not using comparison as their bellwether. They also see difficulties as steps to transformation.
“Resilience is knowing that you are the only one that has the power and the responsibility to pick yourself up.” – M. Holloway
Developing More Grit
Like any transformation in life, grit requires dedicated training and focus to be developed. If you are trying to become stronger and more flexible, it requires time and effort routinely to find results. Want to develop more grit, you need to do the same thing with your mind. Let’s explore what you can do to build more mental toughness every day.
1. Find Your Why
Gritty people live on purpose – they know their Why. Do you know yours? Can you stop right now and write it down in 1 or 2 sentences? If not, this is foundational to developing more grit.
What is Your Why?
After studying 16,000 people, Duckworth found that “grittier people are dramatically more motivated than others to seek a meaningful, other-centered life.”
Take another look at your Why. Does it reflect what Duckworth suggests?
Regardless of the circumstance, remain grounded on your Why. It will be the one thing that motivates you forward, even when you feel like raising the flag. Sinek attests that for those who deeply understand and align their Why, they create unmatched resiliency to weather the inevitable challenges that they will face in life – not just in their pursuits.
2. Practice Makes Permanent
The fastest way to master anything is to practice and repeat it. To persevere, you must be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things. This is how you flex your grit muscle.
When was the last time you did something for the first time? – Rucker
At the end of the day, grit comes down to what habits you engage in daily. It’s about doing the things you know you’re supposed to do on a more consistent basis that will contribute to your success – while also stretching yourself to step into those ‘reach’ items.
The more that you invest in your personal growth, refining your toolbox, the more skilled you will become. As Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”
Identify at least 1 habit that you will start engaging in daily – and make time for it.
3. Never Give Up
When things get difficult, do you give up easily or use your valley moments to motivate yourself, push forward, and become stronger?
After being in Peace Corps Tanzania in the mid-90’s, I developed a fondness for Nelson Mandela. His life exemplifies the concept of grit as does his statement:
“It always seems impossible until it is done” - N. Mandela
Gritty people look a challenge dead in the eye and give it a wink. It isn’t a soft commit. It is dedication anchored in belief. They recognize life is messy. You are supposed to fail – but it is what you do with failure that matters.
Recognize your brain has a negativity bias. Take a moment to think about some recent bad news or event that occurred to you or someone else. What was your mental response to the ‘what if’s’ regarding that situation? For most people, there is an often unrealistically amplified response regarding the negatives. It is real – and requires a dedicated, intentional focus on ‘pinning the positives’ whenever possible.
You must create this mindset…
__________
The greatest limitation to creating and reaching the masterpiece of your life is yourself. The only limitations standing in your way are the ones in your mind. Never give up on your dreams. Create habits that move the dial. And align your efforts with your passion.
Grit isn’t developed from doing what you can do easily but from overcoming that which you thought not possible.
Believe. Act. You’ve got this!