Do You Really Have What It Takes?

If you've been a regular reader, I bet you can take an educated guess regarding the answer to the following question:  Who out of us, stands the best chance of being on top of the next positive economic wave? 

Do you think it's the smartest people?  If you do, then you haven't been reading our blog (or the supporting research).  The following research offers more than a hint at the answer.

Angela Lee Duckworth, PhD, has conducted a series of studies on a concept called "grit."  Grit is another word for backbone, chutzpah, fortitude, guts, stick-to-it-iveness, etc.  It all started when Dr. Duckworth (while a student in Graduate School) observed that it wasn't necessarily the smartest people who succeeded and made a lasting impact on science. 

She had a hunch that it was a person's personal "grit" recipe that made the difference in their level of success.  Across six studies, Duckworth found that grit significantly contributed to successful outcomes:  Undergrads with the most grit earned higher grade point averages than their peers.  West Point Cadets with the highest levels of grit were more likely to return after the first summer.  Even "grittier" spelling bee competitors (a situation where IQ would seem the best predictor) out-spelled their less tenacious competitors.  Among older individuals, people with substantial grit had higher levels of education and made fewer career changes than less gritty peers of the same age.

In reviewing the literature, there appears to be little explanation as to how a person can acquire grit.  So, is this something we either have...or we don't?  Is it based on our genetic make-up?  Or, are there outside influences that haven't been explored as of yet (socio-economic status, traumatic circumstances early in life, family dynamics, etc...)

I may write more on this topic later but I'd like to hear from you first:
 
What has made you gritty (or not gritty)?

Please share your story by clicking on "Comments" below.  Describe a situation where you had tremendous grit.  What was behind that?  What emotions and circumstances fueled your efforts?

In the meantime, if you want to contribute to science, follow this link  http://www.ppresearch.sas.upenn.edu/ and you can take a ten minute grit assessment.

"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."  (Harriet Beecher Stowe)

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Posting Comments:  Have you ever posted a comment on a blog?  If not, you should try it.  It’s a fun way to get involved in the discussion and find out what others are thinking.  If you’re a shy person or want to maintain a higher level of privacy, just use your first name or a screen name.  Your email address will not be visible under any circumstances.  We’ll all benefit from hearing your thoughts.  To post a comment, click the comments tab below this posting.  

Comments

[Erica]

My life circumstances challenged me, I struggled growing up with many misfortunes. I always wanted to be something great like a lawyer or business woman .What made me thirst for success even more was that my childhood was crazy and I promised myself that my life as an adult would be competant, concise, clean and mostly calm.
I knew the only way was to get out of the house, go to college and make a lot of cash. So doctor, I am commenting with my opinion that I have grit because my rocky child experiences and my life being drug through the mud. Of course I had the intelligence, I learned to be incredible resourceful and my drive to overcome was built over the years. I don't think I would be as passionate about succeeding had it not been for my crazy family. Thanks guys.

[Nicki Marcellino]

Changing my focus to "What I Want" instead of "What I Don't Want"...shortens the turn around time to rebound from setback, allows my creative mind to engage more easily in solutions and increases energy needed.