Manufacture Your Day by DEVELOPING GRIT
Happy Monday!
I believe that grit has become my number one strength but it hasn’t always been that way. Grit is something anyone can develop as long as the strategy involves “never giving up”.
Here is what the dictionary says about the meaning of grit:
“firmness of character; indomitable spirit;”
This past Saturday I ran my very first 25 km trail race. Words cannot describe how tough these trails were compared to the road. The climbs seemed to be never ending but reality is that I was mentally worn out at the end after focusing so much on the trails. This is mindfulness in action. The technical difficulty of the trails involved roots, rocks, stairs, sand, holes and short bridges. It took me 3 hours and 7 minutes but at the end I had a medal in my hands.
I like to participate in all kinds of sport events that challenge my physical ability and my mind. The mind gives up 10 times earlier before the body does.
How is this relevant for you?
Working on myself and my mind has helped me in business and it will help you too. I have developed grit for 15 + years and I am convinced that it is an incredible asset for anything we want to accomplish in our personal and professional life.
I have always believed that 80% of success is simply showing up and giving it your best. However, nothing great has ever been accomplished without effort. You have to have a goal, a plan and put in the work. That’s it.
I highly recommend that you check out Angela Duckworth’s book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perservance”. She is a professor of psychology and pioneer in grit research.
You can also watch her TED talk if you prefer this to reading.
In study after study, she has found that “where talent counts once, effort counts twice.”
Angela Duckworth explains finding grit with this formula:
Talent x Effort = Skill
Skill x Effort = Achievement
In other words, talent without effort remains untapped potential.
Seriously, what would this mean for all the smart and capable people in our organizations if they would make a greater effort to apply themselves?
Food for Thought:
What will you stop talking about and finally start doing?
Please read this article:
