Mastering Grit for Success | 3 Takeaways
"Gritty people find ways to enjoy the parts of their work that others might find tedious. They focus on the bigger picture—the whole endeavor—and stay captivated by it."
—Angela Duckworth
I’ve been following Angela Duckworth’s research on grit for years, so I wasn’t exactly rushing to read her book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. I already felt pretty familiar with the topic. But then, it kept popping up in conversations with patients and on podcasts I was listening to—something about it felt like a sign.
So, I decided to finally dive in, and I’m glad I did. I added it to my MBD Book Recommendation Page just halfway through. Duckworth does a great job of weaving the research with interviews from some of the top performers in the field—people who’ve truly embodied the principles of grit. I was surprised by how much new insight I gained from it both as a parent trying to foster this trait in my kids, and through myself, who wants to learn to be even grittier.
If you’re looking for practical, science-backed strategies to push through challenges and stay committed to your long-term goals, this book is a must-read.
3 Takeaways From Grit
1. Interest, Practice, Purpose, and Hope: The Four Foundations of Grit
The first key to developing grit is interest. Duckworth explains that every gritty person she studied had something they were intrinsically passionate about. But it’s not just about loving what you do. Gritty people find ways to enjoy the parts of their work that others might find tedious. They focus on the bigger picture—the whole endeavor—and stay captivated by it. It’s not always about doing what’s fun, but about finding meaning in the process.
Once you’ve found your interest, the next step is practice. This is where the real work happens. Gritty individuals don’t shy away from difficult tasks or weaknesses. They’re willing to face challenges head-on, constantly practicing to improve every day. They seek out areas for improvement and devote themselves to refining their skills.
Next comes purpose. The most successful individuals don’t just care about their work for the sake of personal achievement—they see how their work impacts others. Having a clear sense of purpose, of knowing that what you do matters, fuels long-term motivation. Without purpose, even the most passionate individuals can lose their way over time. When you connect your work to something greater than yourself, it’s easier to stay committed, even when the journey gets tough.
Lastly, there’s hope. Hope is the belief that you can improve and succeed, even when faced with setbacks. It’s the confidence to keep going even when things feel difficult. Hope ties the other three components together by fueling perseverance and enabling individuals to believe that their efforts will eventually lead to success. Without hope, grit can falter in the face of adversity.
2. Deliberate Practice: The Science Behind Mastery
There’s a huge difference between simply practicing something and practicing it deliberately. True mastery doesn’t come from putting in hours alone—it comes from targeted, focused effort that pushes you to continually improve. It’s not enough to just go through the motions. To truly master something, you have to be intentional in how you practice.
Deliberate practice involves several key elements: setting clear goals, concentrating fully on the task at hand, and seeking immediate feedback to refine your performance. It’s not just about repetition—it’s about tackling what you can’t yet do, pushing your limits, and learning from your mistakes. This is where real growth happens.
Take the example of a violinist who spends years practicing but doesn’t truly begin to improve until they learn how to practice deliberately. Once they adopt this focused, efficient mindset, their improvement skyrockets. Deliberate practice doesn’t just lead to faster progress; it increases your satisfaction with the growth you’re experiencing, and eventually, it leads to mastery.
The key? Consistency. Whether you’re in music, sports, business, or any other field, the principle holds true: approach your practice with intention, focus on areas that challenge you, and actively seek feedback. It’s this relentless commitment to deliberate practice that sets high performers apart from the rest.
3. The Hard Thing Rule: Teaching Persistence at Home
Duckworth’s family follows the "Hard Thing Rule" to teach grit, and it's one of the most practical tools you can apply. The rule is simple: everyone must choose something hard and commit to it. It can be anything—from learning to play an instrument to training for a race. The key is that once you start, you don’t quit until a natural stopping point arrives, like the end of a season or program.
Commit to something challenging: Find something that requires consistent effort and deliberate practice.
Don’t quit early: Stick with it until a natural ending point, even when things get tough.
Make it something you care about: It’s easier to stay committed to a challenge when you’re genuinely interested in it.
Embrace the struggle: It’s okay to fail and struggle along the way—as long as you don’t quit prematurely.
This teaches children the value of persistence, showing them that it’s okay to struggle and fail as long as you stick with it. It’s about finding something they care about because when you’re genuinely interested in something, it’s easier to push through the tough moments. The goal isn’t perfection, but showing up and giving it your best effort every day, no matter how hard it gets. It’s this kind of commitment that breeds long-term success.
My grit score.
Bonus: Take the Grit Scale. It’s a simple, free, 10-question quiz and gives you an immediate read out.
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