What is Grit?
Have you ever wondered what truly separates the achievers from the dreamers? The answer lies in the power of grit—a dynamic blend of resilience and unwavering dedication toward achieving long-term goals. In the words of James Clear, author of Atomic Habits:"Grit is the perseverance and passion to achieve long–term goals." People with grit, grounded in growth mindset, view setbacks as natural and handle them with a more optimistic attitude, confident in their skills and the power of belief that they will improve in the future through their efforts.
According to Merriam-Webster, grit in the context of behavior is defined as ‘firmness of mind or spirit : unyielding courage in the face of hardship". Meaning, without passion, perseverance can lead to burnout, and without perseverance, we might give up.
When I first worked with a life coach years ago, he identified grit as a key trait in my personal growth—something I didn’t fully understand at the time. He described it as tenacity: my unwavering determination to overcome obstacles and keep pushing toward my goals.
Discovering Grit
I must confess, initially, I didn't fully grasp the depth and the power of grit. However, it became clear that my life coach recognized in me a mental toughness and tenacity, forged during tumultuous years, fueling a steadfast commitment to my journey of self-growth. I once thought of it merely as stubbornness—a trait I jokingly attributed to being a typical Taurus.
But grit is not solely about being stubborn. The power of grit isn’t short-sighted. It plays the long game by remaining consistent even in the face of adversity—especially in the face of adversity.
Grit hinges on the daily rituals we cultivate, commitment to performing tasks that you recognize as vital. It's the relentless dedication to your daily practice, and an unshakeable allegiance to your meticulously crafted schedule. Yes, now that sounds like me!
Popularized by University of Pennsylvania renowned psychologist and author, Angela Duckworth has made significant contributions to the field of grit through her groundbreaking research. Her work, particularly highlighted in her book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” explores the importance of the power of grit in achieving long-term goals. Duckworth’s research emphasizes that grit, defined as the combination of passion and perseverance, often surpasses talent as a predictor of success.
Her insights have not only reshaped our understanding of achieving success but have also provided practical guidance while for excellence in various domains of life.
Grit - "sticking with things over the very long term until you master them." Angela Duckworth
"Grit" - Small Word, Big Meaning
Ever faced life’s challenges asking yourself, "what should I do with my life?" or wished for more than mere endurance? Enter GRIT, your reliable ally, embodying an enduring dedication to long-term goals, encompasses resilience, fortitude, and the commitment to give your best, particularly in challenging times.
The power of grit propels us beyond our fears, empowering us to explore new goal-setting strategies and discover untapped opportunities. It materializes when we delve deep, lifts ourselves by our bootstraps, and persist against all odds.
The Power of GRIT as an Acronym
GRIT! - a remarkably powerful four-letter word.
Although the word ‘grit’ stands alone, its use as an acronym adds depth—a conceptual extension often embraced in online life coaching and self-help. The specific acronym varies, reflecting diverse interpretations thriving in the world of personal development.”
Growth (I've also heard the word gumption used):
Unleashing your potential to continuously evolve.
Resilience:
Embracing strength in the face of challenges.
Integrity:
Upholding honesty and authenticity in every action.
Tenacity:
Persisting with unwavering determination towards your goals. (Remember, this is the one my life coach said I had)
Which of the above qualities might you have?
Misconceptions About Grit
The power of grit frequently finds itself shrouded in misconceptions. It’s often perceived as a mirror image of other standalone traits like passion, tenacity, resilience, perfectionism, and endurance, as described above.
These misinterpretations arise due to the overlapping qualities and nuances between the power of grit and these traits. Although they share common elements, each trait has a distinctive role in the pursuit of long-term goals for achieving success.
Passion: An intense desire.
Tenacity: Strong determination and willpower.
Resilience: Bouncing back from adversity.
Perfectionism: Pursuit of flawlessness.
Endurance: Physical and mental stamina.
With these distinctions in mind, let's now shift our attention to a more in-depth exploration of practical strategies to master the power of grit.
The Nitty Gritty Details
In my role as a career coach and life coach for women, I’ve witnessed numerous women over the years earnestly aspiring to embrace a new weight loss program or embark on significant lifestyle or career changes. The initial stages, often the most crucial for establishing a new habit, can be particularly challenging while navigating unfamiliar territory.
The key I found, isn’t in achieving sudden, drastic changes but in embracing the power of grit through the daily grind – the accumulation of small choices that build consistent effort over time.
In the realm of grit, this means acknowledging that building resilience and tenacity isn’t a one-time event but a continuous commitment to achieving success in any area of your life worth the effort. It’s about understanding that embracing a growth mindset and maintaining integrity happen in the subtleties of daily decisions — the choice to opt for a nutritious meal, take a brisk walk, or simply pause and reflect.
In practical terms, embodying the power of grit means recognizing that setbacks are part of the growth process while turning aspirations into reality. Whether it's a moment of indulgence or a day where motivation wavers, grit involves acknowledging challenges without succumbing to your inner critic, bouncing back, and not dwelling on the stumble.
See infographic below to discover the essential steps toward cultivating grit through a growth mindset with the power of grit.
Master The Power of Grit for Achieving Success
Vision: Identify Your Passion
Start by pinpointing what truly excites and motivates you. Your passion is the driving force behind your grit. It could be a career goal, a health milestone, or a personal project. Clarifying this passion through the power of grit provides the fuel for your journey.
(Related: Dreams to Reality Ebook Download)
Hopeful: Set Clear, Achievable Goals
Break down your aspirations into manageable, achievable steps, to leverage the power of grit. Define clear goals that align with your passion. Instead of aiming for an overarching objective, focus on smaller, realistic milestones, keeping you motivated.
Patient: Cultivate Consistent Habits
Grit thrives on consistency. Identify daily habits that support your goals. Whether it’s a morning routine, regular exercise, or dedicated time for learning, these small, consistent actions contribute significantly to your overall success.
Courage: Facing Your Fears
Understand that growth often accompanies discomfort. Instead of shying away from achieving success because your goal seem overly challenging, use the power of grit to step out of your comfort zone.
Reassess: Learn From Setbacks:
Setbacks are inevitable, but they are not roadblocks. View them as valuable lessons. The power of grit is not just about achieving success; it’s about bouncing back stronger with newfound insights.
Adaptability: Leverage Support
Adapt your strategy by incorporating feedback from a supportive community of friends, family, a councelor or life coach. Feedback, encouragement, and accountability, reinforce your dedication toward your goals.
Resilience: Overcome Challenges
Recognize obstacles as part of the journey and use them as opportunities to strengthen your resolve. Embrace difficulties as chances to test your grit and ensure you learn and grow from each experience.
Mental Toughness: Embrace Discomfort:
Understand that growth often accompanies discomfort. Use challenges as opportunities for learning and progress. Stepping out of your comfort zone fosters resilience and strengthens your grit.
Reflective: Self-Aware, Evaluate
Reflect on what went wrong, adjust your approach, and move forward. Bouncing back stronger requires first evaluating the situation.
Grit: Celebrate Progress
Celebrate every achievement, no matter how small. Recognizing progress boosts motivation and reinforces positive habits, keeping momentum in your grit-filled journey.
Remember, grit is not a one-time effort but an ongoing practice. Embrace the process, stay committed to your passion, and let the power of grit and steadfast compassion guide you toward lasting success.
Are you ready to tackle life’s challenges with confidence and resilience? Check out my free life coaching masterclass to learn how accountability can empower you to navigate obstacles and achieve lasting success.
Mastering My Grit
Let me offer a glimpse into my personal journey, where the power of grit played a significant role with the hope that it will resonate and inspire you on your journey to success.
Amidst the challenges of the COVID era, I made the bold decision to pivot my business entirely online. Like many of you, I relinquished all in-person sessions, embarked on building a new online life coaching website to coach women, underwent a complete rebranding, and took on the challenge of learning how to secure spots on the coveted first pages of Google – no easy feat, let me tell you.
The journey was marked by continuous learning curves, numerous late nights—I've lost count—and moments of self-doubt. The struggles were genuine, and the path brimmed with uncertainty. However, I never gave up. I embraced what I advocate as a women's life coach, that each obstacle as an opportunity for growth.
As I continue growing my endeavors, success reflects the unwavering power of grit. I’m still learning, navigating milestones and curveballs, embracing each experience with the same determination that fueled my first step online.
So, I guess my life coach was right after all.
Here’s a list of examples showcasing the power of grit:
1. Entrepreneurs Facing Early Failures:
Overcoming setbacks and persisting in the face of repeated rejections to establish a successful business.
2. Single Parents Balancing Responsibilities:
Managing childcare, work, and personal growth simultaneously with limited resources and support.
3. Continuing Education While Working:
Committing to further education to advance career prospects, despite the challenges of balancing work, studies, and personal life.
4. Learning a New Skill:
Dedicating time and effort to acquire new abilities or hobbies that require persistence and discipline.
5. Maintaining a Fitness Routine:
Sticking to a regular exercise regimen, especially when faced with time constraints or lack of immediate results.
6. Writing a Book:
Completing a manuscript through stages of drafting, revising, and editing, often in the face of self-doubt and criticism.
7. Career Advancement Efforts:
Pursuing promotions or professional development opportunities with determination and strategic planning.
8. Budgeting to Save for a Major Purchase:
Consistently managing finances, cutting unnecessary expenses, and saving diligently over time to make a significant purchase.
Successful People Have "Grit" and You Can Too!
Achieving success demands more than talent or luck—it requires "grit." Successful people recognize its significance, and you can too. With perseverance, passion, and resilience, harness the power of grit to propel your goal setting to the next level.
Cultivating grit and achieving success is a mindset and a commitment to continuous effort. To accelerate your success, eliminate tasks that don’t align with your end goal, such as time-wasting activities, so you can become more productive, freeing your mind of interruptions and clutter.
Remember, achieving success is not reserved for a select few; it’s within reach for anyone willing to cultivate grit and the determination to overcome hurdles and pursue their goals relentlessly. Be willing to fail but also have the stamina to get back up and start again even if it takes more time than you had originally planned.
In a world that often prioritizes instant results, the power of grit stands out as a reminder that lasting change takes time. The power of grit means adopting a growth mindset that treasures consistency over speed, recognizing that the cumulative effect of sustained effort is what yields enduring results. That is the power of grit!
