The Power of Grit in Your Search for Fulfillment

—Chelsea B. Ashworth

According to psychologist Angela Duckworth, if you want to succeed, you are going to need grit. Her book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, details the results of her research into the factors that predict achievement. The book is packed with thought-provoking material for those hoping to take their career to the next level. Here are my top three takeaways:

(1) Grit Matters More Than Talent or IQ.

Dr. Duckworth's interest in grit, which she defines as passion and perseverance for very long-term goals, came via her experiences as a math and science teacher. She noticed that IQ was not the only factor in determining who would perform best or worst - some of her brightest students performed poorly, while less talented students took home top grades. Her curiosity about the underlying motivation to achieve led her to pursue her doctorate.

In her research, Dr. Duckworth studied the characteristics of high achievers in such diverse groups as cadets at West Point, adolescent contestants in the National Spelling Bee, and Super Bowl winning football players. The common denominator amongst those that succeeded was their passion for the activity and their willingness to sacrifice in order to persevere.

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The idea that talent is not all there is to success should not come as a surprise. We all know at least one person, perhaps a classmate or family member, who seems to have floundered despite high grades or charisma. The key is not the skills a person has, but what that person actually does with them. Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night's Dream might have existed within William Shakespeare's mind, but it is only because he took the time and effort to transcribe his works that they have survived and been translated into every major living language. In sum, if you want to succeed, you have to put in the work and you are going to need stamina - be ready for a marathon, not just a sprint.

(2) Grit Can Be Grown.

As part of her research, Dr. Duckworth developed a 12-Item Grit Scale, which is available for personal use on her website. You may be curious to see how you rate on the Grit Scale, but don't worry if you are disappointed by your score. According to Dr. Duckworth, Grit can be cultivated and grown both from the inside out, and from the outside in.

You can build grit into your life by doing things like dedicating time and effort to your interests and developing a daily habit of challenging yourself. The next time you fail or feel overwhelmed about a task, resist the temptation to give up and remind yourself that you just haven't succeeded "yet."

I've found myself thinking about my grit several times recently. My husband and I are in the process of buying a new home. I've returned to my local gym for the first time since the pandemic hit. My family business is just about wrapped up and it's time for me to decide on the next step in my career. In each of these situations, I have the opportunity to build grit by resisting negative self-talk and doubt and focusing on what I can gain and learn from my experience.

Grit can also be instilled by parents, coaches, friends, and mentors. Parents are powerful examples for young children, and if parents model dedication despite frustration and adversity, children learn not to despair and give up when failure occurs. I now realize that my father was teaching me about grit when he would say, "they may be smarter than me, but they can't outwork me."

Coaches can build grit by being mindful about the language they use with their players. Which of these sounds like something a coach trying to instill grit would say?

"I can't believe you missed a ground ball again! You're never going to get it!"

Or

"Remember, if you don't want a ground ball to go between your legs, you need to get both hands down ready to stop the ball."

A coach focused on cultivating grit needs to instill in their players the conviction that they may fall down 7 times, but will rise 8.

I hope you are lucky enough to have at least one friend you know you can call on if you need a confidence-boosting conversation. A gritty friend who knows you well will know when you need a shoulder to cry on, or when you really need to be told to suck it up and try again.

Consider the type of mentor that might prove most useful to you. Would you rather seek advice from someone who succeeded at everything they ever tried? Or would you benefit from hearing how your mentor used grit to get through disappointments and to overcome obstacles?

The next time you fail, remind yourself that you just haven't succeeded "yet," and surround yourself with people who believe in you.

(3) Know Your Why.

What if you have the drive, but are missing the directions? To really succeed, you need to lock in on your "why," which is your true purpose and motivation.

One way to find your "why" is to reflect on the work you have already been doing and ask yourself how that work can make a positive contribution to society. If you are an attorney, perhaps you could find pro bono opportunities to use your skills to help the less fortunate, or you could join a non-profit board. Another way to find purpose is to consider the small but meaningful ways you could change your current work. If you think your workplace could benefit from a change in company culture, consider taking a leadership role, or asking existing leadership to bring in a speaker on a topic you think is relevant. It also helps to find inspiration in a purposeful role model. If you have a mentor that you respect, really reflect on what inspires you about that person and what actionable steps you can put into practice to exercise what you've learned.

So how can a job seeker put Dr. Duckworth's research to good use? If you are searching for a new job, don't rest on your laurels expecting the right opportunity to find you. A sterling resume doesn't matter unless it makes it into the hands of the right person. Ask yourself if there is anyone in your network who you might speak to about your job interests. If you are feeling aimless in your job search, focus on your "why." Ask yourself what problem in the world you believe needs solving, and how you might personally make a difference.

Dr. Duckworth says that "the hope that gritty people have has nothing to do with luck and everything to do with getting up again," and that no matter how she measured, her research indicated that grit and well-being go hand-in-hand. It stands to reason then that the more grit you muster in your job search and in your career, the more likely you will be to enjoy a healthy emotional life and fulfillment in your work.

One last note. Being gritty doesn't mean that you never quit anything. Dr. Duckworth is glad that she quit piano and French, because spending less time on those freed up time for pursuits that she found more gratifying. Don't feel that you need to finish every single thing you start without reflection. This is especially true if your current line of work is leaving you drained and unfulfilled. Dr. Duckworth left the lucrative world of management consulting to be a public school teacher, and then left teaching to pursue research. If she had never gotten in touch with her "why," she would never have become a MacArthur Fellow, commonly referred to as the "Genius Grant," and would never have written this book. If you need help finding your "why," or could use some coaching through a major job transition, Apochromatik can help.

If you'd like to learn more about Angela Duckworth and her research, you can check out her website.

Chelsea B. Ashworth is currently a licensed attorney in Nashville, Tennessee. When not lawyering, Chelsea uses her writing and editing skills to chase the greatest high she can think of: being understood. She is looking for new opportunities to bring clarity to messaging and deliver content that is clear, concise, and conveys confidence. Watch for future posts from Chelsea as she continues her career exploration.