Book Summary: Grit

From being told she wasn’t a genius to scientifically redefining what it means to be one, Angela Duckworth cracked the psychology of success in her book Grit - The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Here’s our summary of the book, tailored to capture the biggest value adds from the book in a few minutes.

If an innate talent was all it took to make it big, why do many among the creme de la creme of their respective domains choose to leave their passions or drop out? Clearly, being ‘gifted’ isn’t enough. There is something else at play — grit. At its core, grit is the marriage of determination with direction. It is a sense of satisfaction in being unsatisfied, and talent is no guarantee of it. We think talent is destiny — when it is grit which defines it.

Hard work vs Innate talent

Many of Angela’s studies corroborate this. The top companies and colleges of the world vigorously choose some of the most endowed candidates, but they’re never able to determine what makes so called geniuses leave in the long term. In our minds, it is difficult to hold ‘naturally gifted’ individuals and ‘exceptionally hard-working’ ones in the same regard. Think about it — who would you choose for a math test? The one who ‘gets maths’ easily, or the one who always shows promise?

None of us want to admit it, but we have an unconscious bias towards ‘naturalness’. The reason — talent is distracting. It shadows all effort and potential in its wake. We expect so much out of it, that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

We think that talent arises from a magic substance which is ‘unreachable’. Either you’re born with it, or not. Either you’re absolutely the best at it, or it doesn’t matter. In our minds, it is intangible and mysterious.When we make something like ‘talent’ unreachable, we exempt ourselves from ever striving to achieve what we want. We demotivate ourselves before even starting on the path. This is what grit doesn’t do.

The formula for success

By no means is possessing a ‘talent’ a bad thing. It is incredible, but tests, shows and scales are prone to assumptions, biases, and exclusion of potential. Success occurs when Talent and Effort come together.

Here’s the misconception:

Talent = Achievement

Here’s what Angela says:

Talent x Effort = Skill

Skill x Effort= Achievement

“The best writers are the best rewriters.”

The fundamentals of Grit

Grit loses all its value without a focal, primary, main goal — this is the calling of your life. The reason you were born on this Earth. What grit also needs is a goal hierarchy: low and medium goals which are irreplaceable.

Yes, it is possible to be great. It is possible to touch the untouchable. Greatness is simply a macro consequence of many smaller and grittier decisions you make across your life. Be stubborn in following your small goals!

We can accurately pinpoint variation but not the average itself. Over many years of evolution, it has been found that all of us have improved in abstract thinking, conscientiousness, and overall propensity for perseverance. Your grit will grow too!

So How Do You Become Gritty?

Simple.

Interest>Passion>Practice>Purpose>Hope.

Interests are triggered by epiphanies and moments more than introspection, which is why it is OKAY to have many fleeting interests than none at all. They can be fragile, which is why they need time. They are the play needed for the hard work i.e. passion.

The difference between Interest and Passion is the same as the one between falling in love and staying in love. It develops on discovery and takes a lifetime of deepening. And most importantly it needs time to be figured out.

Logging more hours is great but make those hours ‘better’ with deliberate practice. Here’s how:

1. A clearly defined stretch goal

2. Full concentration and effort

3. Immediate and informative feedback

4. Repetition with refinement

Interest is one source of passion. Purpose — the intention to contribute to the well-being of others — is another. The mature passions of gritty people depend on both. This is where you look around and see how you can bring meaningful change.

Hope and optimism promote the growth mindset in Grit. It comes from knowing that things change, and change for the better. Your status quo won’t remain so forever.

The concept of Grit can be promoted through feedback, support and percolating a culture that celebrates individual identity. Do this, and you’ve set yourself and others up for lasting success!

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