Grit & DETERMINATION

The Nitty Gritty: What is GRIT?

This video helps to explain the concept in an easy to follow, visual format.

The term Grit was coined by Angela Duckworth she says that:

Grit is passion and perseverance for long-term goals.

One way to think about grit is to consider what grit isn’t.

Grit isn’t talent. Grit isn’t luck. Grit isn’t how intensely, for the moment, you want something.

Instead, grit is about having what some researchers call an”ultimate concern” – a goal you care about so much that it organises and gives meaning to almost everything you do. Grit is holding steadfast to that goal - even when you fall down, when you mess up or when progress towards your goal is halting or slow.

Talent and luck matter to success. But talent and luck are no guarantee of grit. In the very long run, grit may matter at least as much, if not more.

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How can I demonstrate more grit in my life?

To be gritty is to have passion and perseverance about something in your life. This doesn’t mean that you can engage in all tasks with equivalent passion and perseverance. Indeed, the limits of time and energy suggest that focusing on one thing means focusing less on others. You can’t pursue becoming a great pianist and, at the same time, a great mathematician, a great sprinter … But, it’s also true that to be gritty means to pursue something with consistency of interest and effort. Some choose not to pursue anything in a committed way and that is lack of grit. Here are some areas to focus upon if you wish to be more GRITTY!

Courage

Courage is hard to measure, it is directly proportional to your level of grit. More specifically, your ability to manage fear of failure is imperative and a key predictor of success. The supremely gritty are not afraid to fail. In fact, they embrace failure as part of a process.

Conscientiousness

Conscientiousness is the attribute most closely associated with grit. In this context, being conscientious is being careful and painstakingly meticulous. Self-control and never stepping out of line may impede progress. It is important to commit to go for the gold rather than just show up for practice.

Long-Term Goals

Long-term goals provide the context and framework in which to find the meaning and value of your long-term efforts. They help to cultivate drive, sustainability, passion, courage, stamina … grit. In short, they keep you focused!

Endurance / Follow Through

In his best selling book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell talks about what is needed to become the best of the best. How did The Beatles, Messi or Steve Jobs reach their goals? Practise lots and then practise more. To truly master a discipline, he believes you must commit 10 000 hours.

Resilience

On your long haul to greatness, you’re going to stumble and you will need to get back up on the proverbial horse. But what is it that gives you the strength to get up, wipe off the dust and remount? Resilience. “The ability of people to maintain their core purpose and integrity among unforeseen shocks and surprises."

Optimism

Optimism is hope and confidence about the future or the success of something. Gritty people believe that, everything will work out in the end and if it doesn't, it is not the end.” They keep on going.

Confidence

Confidence can be summarised as the feeling or belief that one can have faith in or rely on someone or something. Or, a feeling of self-assurance arising from an appreciation of your abilities or qualities. Both of which ring true if you wish to have more grit.

Avoid Perfection

In general, gritty people don’t seek perfection. Instead, they strive for excellence. It may seem that these two have only subtle semantic distinctions; but, in fact, they are at odds. Anxiety, low self-esteem, obsessive compulsive disorder and clinical depression are only a few of the conditions ascribed to “perfectionism.” To be clear, those are ominous barriers to success.

Strive for Excellence

Excellence is an attitude, not an end game. The word excellence is derived from the Greek word Arête which is bound with the notion of fulfilment of purpose and is associated with virtue. It is forgiving, expecting failure and showing vulnerability during the ongoing quest for improvement. It allows for disappointment and prioritises progress over perfection.