Who are the grittiest people in your life?
The Challenge
Think of the people in your life who demonstrate the most perseverance and determination. Who around you works the hardest, feels most passionately about their work, and achieves their goals most often? Look for opportunities to work closely with them on a project, or to spend more time with them in other ways.
Why do this?
Angela Duckworth, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and winner of the MacArther "Genius" Award, has long dedicated her studies to the concept of "grit": the perseverance to keep moving toward long-term goals, even when the going gets tough. Her research shows that the amount of grit a person has is the best predictor of success, even more so than high intelligence. (By the way, if you noticed that this challenge is similar to another one you've done, you're right. It is! We developed a series dedicated to developing grit, and this challenge is part of that series.)
There are five tried-and-true ways to increase your own level of grit: 1) pursue what interests you, 2) practice it deliberately, 3) find purpose in what you do, 4) take ownership and be optimistic, and 5) surround yourself with gritty people. Dedicating yourself to adopt these mindsets and practices is the single best way to ensure success at any goal.
What’s next?
Find out more about grit by reading Angela Duckworth's book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Or watch her TED talk of the same name.
