Books > Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

by Angela Duckworth

“Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth is a pretty intriguing read if you’re into figuring out what makes people tick and succeed. Duckworth, who’s got a solid background in psychology, makes a strong case that being super successful isn’t all about having a high IQ or crazy talent. Instead, she introduces this idea of “grit,” which is a combo of being super passionate about what you do and sticking to it like glue, no matter what.

The book breaks down “grit” into four main parts: interest, practice, purpose, and hope. Duckworth fills the pages with stories from all kinds of people—teachers, business folks, athletes—you name it, showing how this grit stuff has helped them get to the top. It’s not just theoretical either; she makes it super relatable with her own stories and the interviews she shares.

What’s cool about “Grit” is how actionable it is. Duckworth doesn’t just talk about what grit is; she’s all about showing you how to get it. She lays out this formula where effort counts twice: talent turns into skill, and then you apply effort to that skill to achieve something great. It’s like saying, keep pushing, keep improving, and don’t give up, and you can make something of yourself.

She also talks about the growth mindset, a concept by Carol Dweck, which means that you should see challenges as opportunities, not be afraid of failure, and learn from criticism instead of letting it get you down.

Praise

Here’s a look at some of the positive feedback and why various readers and critics have celebrated the book:

Empowerment through Actionable Insights: Many readers have praised the book for its practical approach to personal development. Duckworth provides actionable advice on how to develop grit in oneself, one’s children, or students. This aspect has been particularly appreciated by educators and parents who are keen on fostering traits like perseverance and resilience in young people.
Comprehensive Research and Engaging Storytelling: Duckworth combines her rigorous academic research with engaging narratives from various successful individuals across fields like sports, business, and academia. This blend of storytelling and research has been well received as it makes the book both informative and accessible to a broad audience.
Positive Psychology Perspective: The book contributes to the field of positive psychology by focusing on strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. It has been lauded for shifting focus from what is wrong to what is right with people, encouraging readers to cultivate their potential.
Inspiration and Motivation: Many reviewers have found Duckworth’s message that perseverance and passion matter more than raw talent both inspiring and motivating. The idea that dedication and hard work can lead to success gives hope and motivates readers to persist in their endeavours.
Influence on Education and Business: The concepts introduced in “Grit” have been widely discussed and implemented in educational settings and business environments around the world. Duckworth’s ideas have influenced teaching strategies and corporate practices, encouraging a focus on developing perseverance and resilience.

Criticism

But, it’s not all perfect. Some folks argue that Duckworth might oversimplify success, kind of putting all the responsibility on the individual without considering bigger societal or systemic hurdles. Plus, some think it might be a bit too optimistic about how much control we have over our success.

While “Grit” has been widely praised for its insights and practical applications, it has also faced several criticisms from different quarters, particularly concerning its views on success and the factors that influence it.

Oversimplification of Success: One major critique is that Duckworth’s concept of grit simplifies the complex nature of success. Critics argue that success is not merely the result of individual traits such as passion and perseverance but is significantly influenced by external factors like socioeconomic status, education, cultural background, and networking opportunities. By focusing primarily on personal qualities, Duckworth’s theory may underplay the structural and systemic barriers that can impede personal and professional growth.
Potential Blame on the Individual: Related to the first point, critics contend that emphasizing grit might inadvertently place the onus of success or failure too heavily on the individual. If someone fails to succeed, the logic might suggest it’s because they didn’t work hard enough or weren’t persistent enough, ignoring factors outside their control. This perspective can be seen as minimizing the realities of those who face systemic disadvantages.
Lack of Nuance in Addressing Different Contexts: Grit, as defined by Duckworth, is particularly celebrated in competitive or high-performance settings like academia, sports, or business. However, critics argue that the same emphasis on relentless perseverance might not universally apply or be healthy in all contexts or cultures. For example, in some cases, knowing when to quit or pivot might be more beneficial than persistently following a failing course.
Mental Health Concerns: There is also concern about the potential mental health implications of excessively valorizing grit. The pressure to constantly persevere can lead to burnout, stress, and other mental health issues, especially if individuals feel compelled to persist despite facing adverse or unhealthy circumstances.
Empirical Validity: Some in the academic community have questioned the empirical underpinnings of Duckworth’s work, arguing that the research on grit is not as robust or conclusive as presented. They suggest that while grit can play a role in success, its impact might be overstated compared to other psychological traits or factors.

In response to such critiques, Angela Duckworth herself has acknowledged the importance of context and other contributing factors to success. She emphasizes that grit is just one piece of the puzzle and encourages a balanced approach to understanding human achievement. This ongoing dialogue reflects the complexity of studying human behaviour and the multifaceted nature of success.

Actions

If you’re keen on building up your own grit as Angela Duckworth describes, there are several actionable steps you can take right away to help cultivate passion and perseverance in your life. Here’s how you can practically apply the concepts from “Grit”:

Discover What Fascinates You: Start by exploring what interests you deeply, not just as a passing fancy, but something you can commit to enthusiastically. This might involve trying out new activities, diving deeper into current interests, or even revisiting old passions to see what still resonates with you.
Deliberate Practice: Once you’ve identified an interest, the next step is to engage in deliberate practice. This isn’t just about doing something repeatedly; it’s about continuously stretching yourself beyond your current abilities. Seek feedback, address weaknesses directly, and set small, specific goals to improve steadily over time.
Find a Purpose: Duckworth emphasizes that grit is driven by a sense of purpose—a feeling that your work matters. To cultivate this, think about how what you do can contribute to the well-being of others. This might mean adjusting how you view your current role or shifting your focus to activities that have a broader impact on your community or society at large.
Cultivate Hope: Stay optimistic and resilient in the face of setbacks. Hope, in the context of grit, involves developing the belief that you can overcome challenges through effort and strategies. Whenever you hit a roadblock, instead of giving up, brainstorm different strategies to get past it, and try again.
Build a Habit: Integrating grit into your daily life means making a habit of these behaviours. Set regular times for practice, keep reminders of your deeper purpose visible, and reflect regularly on your progress and learning.
Stay Inspired: Surround yourself with stories, books, or people that motivate you. Seeing others who have achieved great things through perseverance can inspire you to maintain your efforts.
Join or Create a Supportive Community: Whether it’s a professional network, a club, or an online community, being around others who are also striving for excellence can hugely boost your motivation. Share your goals, celebrate your progress, and support each other through challenges.

By following these steps, you can start building more grit in your approach to personal and professional goals. Remember, it’s about small, consistent actions that build up over time, leading to large achievements.

To wrap it up, “Grit” is a solid mix of inspiring stories and practical tips. If you’re looking to boost your stick-to-itiveness or just get a pep talk in book form, Duckworth’s book could be just what you need. It’s like having a coach in your corner, pushing you to dig deep and find what drives you, then harness that to not just dream big, but also hang in there till you make it.

Buy a copy from Amazon.

Resources

While the book has received a lot of positive attention, it’s also been subject to various critiques that provide a deeper, more nuanced view of its themes. For those interested in exploring different perspectives on Duckworth’s work, here are some resources that offer critiques:

The New Yorker has an article that discusses the limitations of grit in the context of education and broader social factors. You can read it here: The Limits of Grit
The Atlantic offers a critique about how the focus on grit might divert attention from other important educational reforms. Check it out here: Is Grit Overrated?
Education Week provides a balanced view, discussing both the strengths and potential weaknesses of emphasizing grit in educational settings. Here’s the link: The Problem With Grit

These articles and reviews provide a broader understanding of the ongoing discussions about the concept of grit and its application in various aspects of life and society.