The Surprising Key to Success and Achievement
Introduction
As a student, you have probably already had your friends, parents and teachers speak with you about the importance of hard work and success. But new scientific evidence is pointing to another factor that is often overlooked? It's called grit.
What is Grit?
Angela Duckworth, a leading psychologist at professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and co-founder, chief scientist, and board member of Character Lab explains grit as "passion and perseverance for long-term goals".
It's about having a deep and abiding passion for something, and being willing to stick with it through setbacks, failures, and obstacles. Remember a time you or someone you know stuck to their guns when faced with adversity? Battled things out to
For you as a student, grit can manifest in a number of ways. It might mean putting in extra time and effort to study for an exam, or sticking with a difficult project even when it feels overwhelming. It's about having a long-term perspective and staying focused on your goals, no matter what.
The Benefits of Developing Grit
So why is grit so important for you? Here are just a few of the benefits:
Academic success: Gritty students are more likely to achieve academic success, as they are able to stay focused and motivated even in the face of challenges.
Personal growth: Developing grit can help you develop a growth mindset, which means you see challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.
Community building: Grit can help you build a stronger sense of community and connection with your peers, and drive you to work together to achieve shared goals.
5 Steps to a Grittier You!
Developing grit isn't always easy, but it's worth it. Here are some strategies for building your grit as a student:
Find your passion: Grit is fueled by passion, so it's important to find something that you care deeply about. Whether it's a particular subject or extracurricular activity, find something that motivates and inspires you.
Set long-term goals: Setting clear, long-term goals for yourself, and making a plan for how you will achieve them, will help you stay focused on their goals even when the going gets tough. As Victor Frankl in his amazing book, In Man’s Search of Meaning quotes, “those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how’”
Cultivate self-discipline: Grit requires a lot of self-discipline and self-control. Practice delaying gratification and resisting temptation in order to build your self-discipline muscles.
Embrace failure: Gritty students are not afraid of failure. Instead, they see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Embrace failure as a natural part of the learning process, and use it as a chance to improve and get better.
Seek support: Finally, actively seek support and guidance from others. Whether it's a teacher, counsellor, or mentor, find someone who can offer encouragement and help you stay focused on your goals.
Summary
At The Grit City, we believe in empowering you with grit as a way to achieving their dreams. Whether you're preparing for college, pursuing a passion project, or just trying to do your best in school, remember that grit is the key to success.
Keep pushing forward, and don't give up – you've got this!
Credits: Cover Photo by dylan nolte on Unsplash
