Let's Get?Gritty

Hello Friends!

I conducted a workshop for the Rutgers Business School MBA students recently where we dived into leadership and empowerment. One of the topics we discussed was “Grit”. In today’s fast-paced world, success often seems like something that should happen overnight. We hear stories of “instant” triumphs, viral fame, and overnight millionaires. With social media, that narrative is amplified, and also a facade. Behind the scenes, true success takes grit?—?something far more enduring and reliable than momentary flashes of achievement.

Angela Duckworth, in her influential book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, defines grit as the “perseverance and passion for long-term goals.” It’s about sticking with something even when the initial excitement fades, setbacks occur, and the road gets tough. Today’s newsletter breaks down what grit really means, why people often lack it, how to develop it, and my own experience using grit in entrepreneurship.

Note: You can watch Angela Duckworth’s TED Talk on Grit over here.

What is?Grit?

At its core, grit is the combination of perseverance and passion for something meaningful over the long haul. It’s not just about working hard for a few days or even a few months; it’s about sustaining effort and interest over years. Duckworth emphasizes that grit isn’t talent, luck, or having the right opportunities?—?it’s a choice to keep going even when the journey becomes challenging.

Grit is what pushes athletes to train for years to compete in the Olympics. It’s what drives entrepreneurs to weather numerous failures before finding success. It’s the student studying for hours to pass a difficult exam, the artist perfecting their craft, or the employee who continuously improves despite setbacks. Grit is not glamorous; it’s the daily grind of showing up, doing the work, and committing to incremental progress.

How To Develop?Grit

In a world that celebrates instant gratification, grit is often in short supply. Many people lack grit for several reasons:

1. Fear of Failure: Failure is inevitable on any long-term journey, but many people see failure as a signal to stop rather than an opportunity to learn. Without grit, the fear of failure can be paralyzing.
2. Lack of Patience: In a society of fast food, one-click shopping, and instant messaging, we’ve been conditioned to expect immediate results. Long-term goals, however, require patience and sustained effort.
3. Low Resilience: Bouncing back from setbacks requires resilience, which is a critical part of grit. Some people give up after encountering their first major obstacle, believing it’s a sign they aren’t cut out for the challenge.
4. Unclear Goals: It’s hard to stay gritty about something when your goals aren’t clearly defined. Without a vision, people can become aimless, losing the motivation to persevere through difficulties.

In order to develop grit, the biggest step you can take is to develop a Growth Mindset. Growth mindset is the belief that abilities, intelligence, and talents can be developed through dedication, effort, and continuous learning. This concept was popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck, who contrasted it with a fixed mindset?—?the belief that abilities are static and cannot change.

By leaning into growth mindset, one can overcome the reasons for lacking grit mentioned above. For example, a growth mindset encourages seeing failure not as a sign of inherent limitation but as a stepping stone to improvement.

There are countless examples of individuals who’ve demonstrated grit in their fields. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the lightbulb, famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Edison’s ability to persevere through thousands of failed experiments is a testament to grit. Michael Jordan, often considered the greatest basketball player of all time, was cut from his high school varsity basketball team. Instead of giving up, Jordan used this setback as fuel, practicing tirelessly until he became one of the sport’s most iconic athletes. Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, spent two years facing rejection after rejection before a manufacturer finally agreed to produce her product. She credits her success to her willingness to “fail forward” and stay focused on her long-term goal.

My Entrepreneurial Journey with?Grit

I’ve experienced firsthand the importance of grit in my own entrepreneurial path. Over the years, I’ve faced numerous failures. There were projects that didn’t take off, ventures that collapsed, and financial setbacks that tested my resolve. But rather than quitting, I chose to pivot when needed, learning from every misstep and continuously refining my approach. Through it all, I’ve kept my eye on the long-term, knowing that overnight success is often just an illusion. Trust me, there were many times I wanted to give up, but by taking a moment to reflect and recognize that quitting is a permanent step-back versus a temporary step-back, I would find the motivation to push forward.

The road to success is rarely smooth, and you need the perseverance to weather the inevitable storms. My experience has taught me that grit is about making peace with failure, understanding that it’s part of the process, and committing to the long game. This mindset has been the driving force behind everything I’ve accomplished and continues to guide me in new endeavors.

Parting Words

Grit may not be glamorous, but it is a powerful driver of success. Developing grit requires patience, resilience, and a clear vision for the future, but it is within your reach. Remember, the road to lasting achievement isn’t marked by how quickly you arrive?—?it’s defined by how many times you get back up after you fall. So, the next time you face a setback, ask yourself: Will I push forward with grit or turn back? The choice is yours.

Until next time, keep persevering! Enjoy your week friends!!

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