Grit: Passion, Perseverance, and Patience

This edition’s topic is Grit: Passion, Perseverance, and Patience. The concept of grit is that if you stick with something long enough, your passion and determination will pay off; it is only when you give up that you fail to
achieve.

I hope you find at least one idea to inspire and encourage you.

Warmly,

Melanie Ott

Inspirational Quotes

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we
fail.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Energy and persistence conquer all things.
~ Benjamin Franklin

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties
disappear and obstacles vanish.
~ John Quincy Adams

Grit & Success: The Two Go Hand-In-Hand

Many words describe the quality of “grit” — perseverance, self-discipline,
persistence, tenacity, fortitude. Webster’s defines grit as “firmness of mind
or spirit;” it carries with it the mental image of dogged determination in the
face of hardship or opposition.

Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth, grit researcher, defines grit as “passion and
perseverance towards long-term goals.” Her findings suggest self-discipline and
determination affect success nearly twice as much as IQ. She says grit can make
the difference between being good … and being the best.

Not surprisingly, the grit factor has been picked up by the success-crazed
sports world. Major League Baseball recently instituted a new metric
called Grit Capacity — an acronym for Guts, Resolve, Instinct, and Toughness. The measurement attempts to assess a player’s work ethic, mental
toughness, physical resiliency and life philosophy; attributes that make for a
great player and a winning teammate.

The things you truly want in life often start out seeming difficult or
impossible. Research has proved that the ability to succeed is closely linked
to the ability to stick with “it” — whether “it” is learning to hit a
baseball, play the guitar, write a novel, or start your own business. Malcolm
Gladwell, in his book Outliers, refers to the “10,000 hour rule” that the
key to success in any field is largely a matter of practicing the task for at
least 10,000 hours. The linkage between prolonged effort and success is
reinforced by Albert Einstein, who said, “It’s not that I’m so smart — it’s
just that I stay with problems longer.” While the value
of training, education, and talent should never be undervalued, unleashing the
power of grit on your goals and dreams can be a powerful catalyst for long-term
success.

While developing perseverance and determination can be learned, it can also
seem daunting. How do you stick with something — a goal, a dream, a challenge
— over a span of weeks, months, or years, without giving up?

Setting specific goals and developing a road-map for achieving them can be
powerful aids in sticking with goals over an extended period of time.
Recognizing achievements on the road to greater success can also help you
overcome obstacles and stay motivated.

Tips for Gritty Living

Developing gritty character requires determination and perseverance; while some
seem to be born with bulldog persistence, others struggle to stick with jobs,
hobbies, and relationships. Try these tips to cultivate grit — and the
accompanying success — in your life.

Start your day by eating a frog. Too often we abandon plans and goals at the first sign of difficulty or obstacles. Instead of giving up when opposition looms, organize your day by doing the worst tasks first. Making sure frogs get done first puts the toughtest tasks behind you and leaves you free to do the things you enjoy.

Show up. You may feel like success is out of your reach — but the fear of failure that keeps you from investing your time, energy, and other resources in your dreams is your biggest enemy. Pull up your bootstraps and go for it!

Don’t stop. Ultimately, the measure of your grit is whether you keep working towards your goals. Grit looks past the odds stacked against you, keeps one eye on the goal, and never stops moving forwards. Keeping an eye on the bigger picture serves as a reminder of the long-term value of your goals and dreams.

Further Reading on Grit

Got Grit? Start With Mindset (Positive Psychology News)

Determination: How to Get What You Want (Women’s Health Magazine)

Grit: Not Just a Cereal Grain – A Virtue of Highly Successful People, Too (Catalyst Magazine)

The Winning Edge (Psychology Today)

Focus on the Future …

How does the cultivation of grit relate to your life and career? Creating a
spirit of perseverance and a vision for long-term goals is a rewarding process
that results in personal achievement and deep satisfaction.

At Leap Forward Coaching we have a process that will empower you to set
personal and professional goals — and develop the character to stick with
them, despite setbacks, leading to a more fulfilling, successful, and rewarding
life.

Complimentary Coaching Meeting

If I have piqued your curiosity about the value of coaching for you or someone you know, please contact me for a complimentary coaching meeting to explore what coaching can do for you.

Explore what coaching can do for you!

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