Intro

Grit by Angela Duckworth is easily on my top 10 books to read, and that’s why.

In 2016, I was traveling back to Toronto after a business conference, and I was a bit down.

On the last day of the event, one of the speakers asked us to measure our “success factor” based on the kind of results we had achieved over the past 12 months.

Most of my peers in the room were already making multiple 7 figures, so I started feeling a little discouraged.

Then, as per usual, I stopped at the airport library and picked up this book.

The book explains in detail the process that makes some perform at elite levels and therefore achieve real success.

By the end of this fantastic read, I felt recharged and empowered.

Here are the 5 key lessons I learned from it.

1. Grit is the key to success:

Duckworth argues that grit, which is a combination of passion and perseverance, is a better predictor of success than talent or intelligence alone. It's the ability to keep going despite challenges, setbacks, and failures that ultimately leads to achieving long-term goals.

Example: Consider the story of J.K. Rowling, the famous author of the Harry Potter series. Before her books became worldwide bestsellers, Rowling faced numerous rejections from publishers. However, she remained passionate about her writing and persevered through those rejections, constantly refining her work and submitting it to different publishers. Her grit and determination eventually paid off, and she went on to become one of the most successful authors in history.

2. Passion fuels perseverance:

Duckworth emphasizes the importance of finding and nurturing a deep sense of passion for what you do. Passion provides the motivation and drive needed to sustain effort and overcome obstacles along the way.

Example: Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is often cited as an example of someone with a strong passion for his work. Musk is known for his unwavering commitment to his vision of creating sustainable transportation and colonizing Mars, despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges along the way. His passion for his goals has fueled his perseverance, allowing him to overcome obstacles and achieve significant success in both the automotive and space industries.

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3. Effort counts twice:

Duckworth emphasizes that effort is not only important for skill development but also for building grit. It's not just about working hard, but working hard consistently over a long period of time to achieve meaningful goals.

Example: Serena Williams, the renowned tennis player, is known for her exceptional work ethic and relentless effort on the court. She has often spoken about the hours of practice and training she puts in, even when she doesn't feel like it, to continuously improve her skills and achieve success at the highest level of the sport. Her consistent effort and perseverance have resulted in numerous Grand Slam titles and a highly successful tennis career.

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4. Growth mindset matters:

Duckworth highlights the importance of having a growth mindset, which is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and practice. Embracing a growth mindset allows individuals to persevere through challenges and setbacks, knowing that they can improve with continued effort.

Example: Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, is often cited as an example of a leader with a growth mindset. When Nadella took over as CEO, Microsoft was facing significant challenges, including increased competition from other tech giants. Nadella embraced a growth mindset and fostered a culture of continuous learning and innovation within the company. Under his leadership, Microsoft has made significant strides in areas such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence, demonstrating the power of a growth mindset in overcoming challenges and achieving success.

5. Resilience is key:

Duckworth discusses the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. Resilient individuals are better able to bounce back from failures, setbacks, and challenges and continue moving forward towards their goals.

Example: Oprah Winfrey, the media mogul, has faced numerous challenges and setbacks throughout her career, including childhood trauma, discrimination, and professional setbacks. However, she has demonstrated remarkable resilience in overcoming these challenges and continuing to pursue her passion for media and philanthropy. Her ability to bounce back from failures and setbacks, and to use them as opportunities for growth and learning, has been a key factor in her incredible success as a media personality, philanthropist, and entrepreneur.

Conclusion:

In a world where talent and intelligence are often praised, "Grit" reminds us that passion and perseverance are the true keys to success. The examples of individuals like J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk, Serena Williams, Satya Nadella, and Oprah Winfrey demonstrate that grit, the unwavering commitment to long-term goals, can overcome challenges and lead to remarkable achievements.

So, if you want to achieve your own goals, remember that passion fuels perseverance. Embrace a growth mindset, believe in the power of effort, and be resilient in the face of adversity. Don't be afraid to work hard consistently and bounce back from failures. Keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles in your way.

Now is the time to take action. Identify your passion, set meaningful goals, and develop the grit needed to persevere. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Surround yourself with a supportive community that encourages your grit and determination. Remember, it's not just about talent or intelligence, but about the willingness to put in consistent effort and never give up.

As you embark on your journey towards success, keep the lessons from "Grit" in mind. Let your passion drive you, let perseverance be your compass, and let resilience be your armor. With grit as your guiding force, you have the power to overcome any obstacle and achieve your wildest dreams.

So, go ahead and take action now. Embrace grit as your secret weapon and unlock the power of passion and perseverance in your pursuit of success. The road may be challenging, but the rewards will be worth it. Remember, you have the power within you to achieve greatness. Start today, and let your grit propel you to new heights!

Are you ready to embrace grit and unleash your full potential? It's time to take action and make your dreams a reality. Start now, and let your grit be the driving force that propels you towards success. You've got this!