Angela Duckworth, author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, believes that the key to achieving long-term goals is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.”
Duckworth says that grit is a better predictor of success than IQ or natural ability and that it can be learned. She offers the following advice for developing grit:
Set your sights high. Passion comes from pursuing something that really matters to you.
Find a role model who demonstrates grit. Seeing someone you admire accomplish something difficult can inspire you to do the same.
Break things down into small steps. When you’re facing a daunting task, it can help to break it down into small, manageable steps.
Develop a “growth mindset.” People with a growth mindset believe that they can improve with effort. This belief motivates them to keep trying even when they encounter setbacks.
Persevere through setbacks. Grit is not about never failing, it’s about bouncing back from failure.
Passion and persistence are the keys to success, according to Angela Duckworth.
Developing grit requires setting your sights high, finding a role model, breaking things down into small steps, and having a growth mindset. It’s also important to persevere through setbacks.