Key Takeaways

• Angela Duckworth’s best-selling book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, examines why some people succeed and others fail to achieve goals.
• Grit is defined as having the passion and persistence to stick with something for the very long term until you master it.
• Duckworth’s research revealed that grit was more important than cognitive ability, talent, or luck.

What’s the common denominator of people who graduate from West Point, people who are high achievers in their fields, National Spelling Bee finalists, and teachers in some of the toughest schools? Why do some people reach their goals and succeed in their fields, while others fail?

Are these people simply smarter than average? Are they just innately talented in their fields? Or maybe they’re incredibly lucky? Perhaps there are measures of each of these things, but none of them are the common denominator that successful people share.

So what is? According to Angela Duckworth, author of the best-selling book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, it’s, well, grit. Specifically, it’s the relentless perseverance these people possess to make it through. They’re resilient; they get up every time they fall down, without seeking reward or recognition.

Grit isn’t just important in achieving CEO status, or graduating from a top school, or becoming an Olympic athlete. It can help us in our daily lives, as we run into difficulties and challenges. If you have the necessary grit, you can make it through those truly tough periods in life. And in doing so, we model to our children and grandchildren how to make it through when life throws us a curveball.

You don’t need to be the most talented. You don’t have to have good looks. You don’t have to be a genius, or any of the other attributes we traditionally associate with success. What really makes a difference is what you have deep down in your gut and your capacity to continue to live day after day, moment after moment, and your self-control when you encounter obstacles. If you can do this, eventually you’ll achieve good things.

Grit levels the playing field. If you possess it, you’re ahead of those who might be smarter or more talented. That’s an important thing to remember as we go through life. Until next time, enjoy.

Gary

Gary Klaben is in our Glenview, IL office and serves our clients who are now located all over the country. He has over 30 years of experience and is the author of Changing the Conversation, Wealth of Everything and co-author of The Business Battlefield.  Whether advising his clients, mentoring his team, or coaching entrepreneurs, he is always simplifying complexity and motivating others to take the next action that’s right for them.

Learn more about TransformingWealth™ , our proprietary approach designed to get your arms around the big picture, so you can make informed financial decisions. Ask Gary about Coyle’s TransformingWealth Preview Meeting and schedule a complimentary consultation and start living the Good Life Managed Well™.

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