Friday Thoughts on Growth #2 Why Grit is Important
Plus find out how gritty you are!
When you hear the word GRIT what does it mean to you? What images come to mind and what response do you get in your body?
If we have any Les Mills fitness enthusiasts you (like me) will probably conjour up a whole host of feelings, body responses and functional strategies. In reality having neurological and psychological grit is not too far away from that!
Grit is the perseverance and passion to achieve long-term goals. It’s like having a tenacious grip on your aspirations, refusing to let go even when faced with obstacles.
Let’s break it down further:
Definition: Grit is not just about intense emotions or infatuation. It’s about having direction and commitment. Think of it as the unwavering determination to stick to your top-level goals, regardless of the challenges that come your way.
Research Insights:
West Point cadets who scored high on the Grit Test were 60% more likely to succeed than their peers.
Undergraduates with more grit had higherscores in assignments than less gritty peers, even if their SAT scores were lower.
Consistent practice fueled by grit helps competitors in the National Spelling Bee outperform their peers.
Building Grit:
Define Your Grit: What does grit mean to you? Is it completing a month of workouts without missing a day, delivering work ahead of schedule, or catching up with a friend every Saturday? Be clear about your goals.
Small Wins Matter: Grit isn’t just about extreme situations. It’s about everyday choices. Work that mental toughness muscle by doing the tenth rep, creating instead of consuming, and asking that extra question.
Consistent Habits: Grit isn’t fueled by bursts of inspiration. It thrives on daily habits that allow you to stick to a schedule and overcome distractions. Consistency matters more than raw courage or talent.
You can measure your level of grit using the Grit Scale, a tool developed by psychologist Angela Duckworth. This scale assesses your perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Here’s how it works:
Grit Scale Quiz:
Take a 10-item quiz where you’ll respond to statements related to your goals, interests, and challenges.
There are no right or wrong answers; simply answer honestly based on how you compare to most people.
Each statement has five response options, ranging from “Not at all like me” to “Very much like me.”
Sample Statements (Choose the option that best describes you):
“New ideas and projects sometimes distract me from previous ones.”
“Setbacks don’t discourage me; I don’t give up easily.”
“I finish whatever I begin.”
“I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge.”
Interpreting Your Score:
A higher score indicates greater grit—your ability to stick to long-term goals despite obstacles.
Use your score as a starting point to understand your grit and consider ways to improve it.
Click HERE to find out your GRIT score
My Grit score is 4.8 which apparently is higher than 99% of adults - for those of you who know me personally that probably will not come as a suprise, however interestingly I do not think I ever use being gritty as a descriptor about myself - maybe it is time to!
Remember, grit is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about sustained effort over time, leading to success in your chosen domain. So, keep your eyes on the prize, it is not about the journey man, stay gritty, and conquer those long-term goals! 🏃♀️🌟
“In all honesty, it was hard some days to stave off the bitterness when I would think of the 999 out of 1,000 who simply said, 'Not my problem.”