Grit angela duckworth full#

Why would you want grit? Duckworth discusses this in-depth but, a very quick answer is: It's a reliable predictor of the ability to get through and succeed in challenging situations (AKA life). The good news: grit is plastic - it can change, it can develop. Longevity requires loyalty: 'It's doing what you love, but not just falling in love - staying in love'. Longevity is a key component of grit (this is where perseverance comes into it): Grit is more than talent - it is what we do with our potential. These are all words that could be used to describe someone with a high level of grit. ' Ability' + ' Zeal' + ' Capacity for hard labour' Galton (a scientist who performed a 1869 study on the origins of high achievement) identified 3 characteristics of high achievers: Perseverance: 'Consistency over time' | Not just 'enthusiasm' (which is common and can be short-lived) but 'endurance' (which is rare and long-lived). Passion: 'a compass - that thing that takes you some time to build, tinker with, and finally get right, and that then guides you on your long and winding road to where, ultimately, you want to be' | Your 'ultimate concern' | 'The top-level goal' | 'A compass that gives direction and meaning to all the goals below it.'

Most simply, GRIT = PASSION + PERSEVERANCE Here I will discuss some definitions of grit, since the concept is so central to the book, as a way of getting us all on the same page.ĭuckworth offers us an evolving definition of grit over the course of the book - I've attempted to summarise it here: Therefore, these worksheets will be mostly filled with questions and exercises (with some brief notes in between). That being said, I do think that some context is necessary and helpful at times. Let's start with a definition: what is GRIT? (Chapter 1 'Showing Up')Īs I’ve said in the introduction to the Evergreen Bookclub, these reflections are not intended to be summaries. *Note: throughout this article, anything that’s in quotation marks is a direct quote from the book (generally Duckworth’s words, but sometimes (where I’ve indicated) it has been said by someone else).

Grit angela duckworth full#

It's probably one that I could stand to read again and again because it is full of so much wisdom. I would encourage anyone striving to live a satisfying life (or who wants that for the people around them) to read this book. I would argue that (at least for me) this is a potentially life-changing book. Lightning fast review: I really enjoyed this book (there's a reason why I started with this one!). If you haven't read the book yet (or even if you have) and want a quick introduction to what it's all about, then check out Duckworth's TED talk on the topic. The book is called 'Grit - The Power of Passion and Perseverance' She is additionally involved in many other projects and organisations, but, for the purposes of this first Evergreen Bookclub, we're going to focus on a book she has written (which is based on a lot of research - both hers and that of others). Duckworth also co-hosts a podcast called No Stupid Questions. If you're interested in reading more about the ideas behind it and how it works, then head here.Īngela Duckworth is a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania as well as the founder and CEO of a non-profit organisation called Character Lab, which aims to advance the science of helping kids thrive. Welcome to the first edition of the Evergreen Bookclub.