Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Angela Duckworth’s best-selling 2016 book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance describes how persistent practice, and not mere talent, is the key to success among students and professionals. Duckworth’s extensive research demonstrates that young people do best in activities that hold their interest and give them a sense of purpose. This encourages them to practice hard and overcome obstacles until they achieve mastery and success in school and, later, in their professional lives. The ebook version of Grit is the basis for this study guide.

Grit is divided into three parts. The first part explains the nature of grit and how it leads to success; the second part tells how to develop grit; the third part shows how parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors can encourage grit in their children, students, and young athletes.

In Part 1, “What Grit Is and Why It Matters,” the simple act of persistence—of staying the course, mastering the skills, and completing the challenges—is called “grit,” and it’s worth at least twice as much as natural talent in determining who succeeds and who drops out. Most people believe success is due to raw talent and that brilliant performance in sports, the arts, or any activity is due simply to natural gifts. Studies show, instead, that those who reach the top of their field practice long hours and prevail over setbacks and distractions to achieve skill levels that appear effortless.

The author uses a Grit Scale to rate students on how persistent they are in their various activities. Those who test higher in grit achieve more success, including better grades, longer attendance in school, and better vocational outcomes.

Part 2 describes the four basics of grit: interest, practice, purpose, and hope. When a young person discovers an activity or field of knowledge that they find intriguing, they pursue that area for its intrinsic interest. This leads them to practice the skills they need to become good at the chosen activity. Practice, though, must be deliberate, designed to challenge the practitioner to make continuous improvements. Successful professionals also search constantly for new ideas and techniques that they can master, and they use deliberate practice to polish those new abilities.

Over time, gritty people persist to the point where their skills make a difference in the lives of others; this gives them a sense of purpose, and in their later working life this inspiration can transform a mere job into a career or, even better, a calling that defines their life. Their hope isn’t that the world will hand them what they want but that they’ll create a meaningful and successful life using their own efforts.

Teachers, parents, and other mentors will find in Part 3 several ideas on how they can instill grit in children and students. Some parents are lovingly supportive, encouraging their kids to pursue activities that interest them. Other parents are coolly demanding, setting strict rules and high standards for their children. Evidence suggests that both strong support and high standards are needed to instill good work habits and develop high levels of skill and achievement.

Extracurricular activities, which can be both fun and challenging, are excellent arenas for developing grit. Students who spend multiple years working on after-school projects tend to get better grades, go father in college, and have better professional outcomes.

A culture of grit leads to greatness in professional careers. Jamie Dimon creates such a culture at JPMorgan Chase, where fortitude and grit are watchwords. West Point trains cadets to be gritty within a culture of thorough support and high standards. Soccer coach Anson Dorrance and Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, both famous for their winning records, create cultures of grit in their teams, where players encourage each other toward greater toughness and constant improvement.

Is it possible to have too much grit? Perhaps, but in her research the author has yet to find anyone who wishes they had less of it.

Grit includes an Afterword in which the author answers seven of the most common questions people ask about grit. The book also contains a bibliography, 38 pages of notes, and an Index.

Dr. Angela Duckworth is a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. She has founded two nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving children’s ability to achieve success. She won a MacArthur Fellowship in 2013.