The One Thing You Need to Succeed: Grit

There are many factors that contribute to a person’s success. Emotional intelligence is critical in today’s professional landscape. Intelligence and industry know-how are certainly a plus. And a little strategic networking and financial backing never hurt.

However, one piece of the puzzle can take you further than any other factor or personality trait: grit.

So, how do you develop a grit-focused mindset that empowers you to operate at your best consistently? Here’s what you need to know.

The Grit Mindset, Explained

Some say grit is a mixture of growth, resilience, instinct, and tenacity. Those with a grit mindset have the perseverance to withstand whatever obstacles come their way. They don’t quit when life gets tough.

Angela Lee Duckworth, a University of Pennsylvania psychologist, said, “Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Many leaders agree that employees who demonstrate grit are often their most persistent team members. They are also the most likely to work toward continual improvement and surround themselves with similarly gritty people who find their way past obstacles.

What Does Real–Life Grit Look Like?

One great example of grit in action is Thomas Edison’s life and career. After his successful invention of the lightbulb, reporters at a press conference asked Edison if he’d felt like a failure during his thousands of previous attempts.

Edison told reporters that he hadn’t considered this long road of trial and error to be a failure at all. Instead, he had successfully discovered thousands of ways not to invent a lightbulb, knowing that, through the process of elimination, he would eventually succeed — and he did.

But you’re likely not trying to invent a lightbulb. So, how can you train yourself to recognize examples of real-life grit?

In practice, grit might involve:

• Always finishing what you start
• Staying committed to your long-term goals — no matter how difficult they are (or things get)
• Working hard, even after facing failure or when given logical reasons to quit

5 Ways to Develop Grit and Resilience

Many people naturally develop a grit mindset through an abundant passion for their long-term goals (as well as a little bit of stubborn perseverance). However, you can also cultivate a grit mindset and resilience in other ways. Here are five practices to get you started.

1. Pay Attention to Your Words

How do you speak to yourself and others? Are your thoughts regarding your long-term goals optimistic, or do you often think there’s no chance you’ll succeed? Your words, even the unspoken ones, carry weight. Be mindful of how you talk to yourself.

2. Surround Yourself with “Gritty” People

Perhaps you’ve heard the saying that everyone is the sum of the five people they spend the most time with. Whether or not that’s a scientifically sound hypothesis, it’s no secret that those most often around you influence your mindset and decisions.

By surrounding yourself with “gritty” people, you’ll likely develop a more goal-oriented and optimistic mindset. You may also find that more opportunities for success come your way as gritty individuals often spread success around them.

3. Adopt a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset and a grit mindset are very similar. However, the key difference is that individuals with a grit mindset consistently focus on perseverance, while individuals with a growth mindset focus on growth. Both mindsets are useful and have an essential place in the path toward success.

To cultivate a growth mindset, look for growth opportunities, especially during unfavorable circumstances or crises. Persevere when other, less-gritty individuals might not.

4. Set Some (Small) Goals

If you struggle with developing a grit mindset because you find it challenging to stick with long-term goals, try breaking them down into more manageable short-term goals. For example, running that marathon becomes easier if you focus on small increments leading up to the finish line, not how long and far you still have to go.

5. Make It a Habit to Reflect

Rather than going through the day on autopilot, reflect on your progress toward your goals—no matter how hard you must work to reach them. Positive reflection can help you recognize how far your grit has already taken you and helps you visualize the path to success.

The Bottom Line

A grit mindset can help you increase your chances of success in any endeavor. Start leading with a “whatever it takes” attitude, and you’ll find that obstacles are no longer insurmountable.

Are you looking to take your growth and success to the next level? Arootah coaches can help you develop the skills needed to become “grittier” in life. Book your free results-focused coaching call today to get started.