One of my favorite books is “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by psychologist and researcher Angela Duckworth. The book focus on an important idea: SUCCESS IS NOT PRIMARILY DETERMINED BY TALENT, INTELLIGENCE, OR LUCK, BUT BY A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF PASSION AND PERSEVERANCE, which the author calls GRIT. Based on years of research, Duckworth explores HOW PEOPLE WITH GRIT ACHIEVE MORE IN THE LONG RUN AND HOW ANYONE CAN CULTIVATE THIS QUALITY.
Duckworth defines Grit as the sustained application of effort toward long-term goals, even in the face of setbacks, boredom, or slow progress. It’s about staying committed to a purpose and working diligently over time, rather than relying on bursts of motivation or natural ability. Grit is passion and perseverance for long-term goals. Grit is endurance. Grit is sticking with your future, day in and day out—not just for a week, not just for a month, but for years—and working hard to make it a reality.
Duckworth identifies FOUR KEY COMPONENTS THAT GRITTY PEOPLE TEND TO DEVELOP AND CULTIVATE OVER TIME:
- INTEREST: The spark that starts it all. Grit begins with a genuine interest in a specific area. Passion is not something sudden, but something that evolves through exploration and deeper involvement. No one is interested in everything, and everyone is interested in something. Discovering your passion is a process of discovery, followed by development, and ultimately a lifetime of deepening.
- DELIBERATE PRACTICE: The discipline of improvement. Gritty people engage in deliberate practice structured and purposeful form of practice aimed at continuous improvement. This involves setting ambitious goals, seeking feedback, and pushing beyond comfort zones. People with grit practice more deliberately and experience greater flow.
- PURPOSE: The drive beyond oneself. Purpose gives passion a deeper meaning. It’s the belief that your work matters not only to you but also to others. Gritty individuals often connect their personal interests with a broader mission or cause. In essence, the idea of purpose is that what we do matters to other people, not just to ourselves.
- HOPE: The engine of resilience. Hope, in the context of grit, is not passive optimism but a proactive belief that one’s own effort can make a difference. It’s the ability to persevere through adversity and stay motivated over time. Grit depends on a kind of hope that is different from mere optimism. It is based on the expectation that our own efforts can improve our future.
According to Duckworth, effort counts twice: she emphasizes that while talent is important, effort plays a much greater role in achieving success.
Talent × Effort = Skill
Skill × Effort = Achievement
Therefore, Duckworth makes it very clear that grit can be developed: contrary to the belief that grit is innate, she argues that it can be cultivated through intentional habits, supportive environments, and a growth mindset. In this sense, culture matters: families, schools, teams, and organizations can foster grit by setting high standards and offering consistent support.
Angela Duckworth’s book Grit is a powerful reminder that long-term success is less about an innate genius and more about sustained effort, meaningful purpose, and the resilience to keep going. Whether you’re a student, professional, athlete, or entrepreneur, cultivating grit can help you unlock your full potential and achieve your most important goals. I’ll end with a quote from Angela Duckworth that clearly sums up her ideas:
“Our potential is one thing. What we do with it is quite another.”
