The Theory of Grit – Is Grit a Predictor of Success?
Natalie L. Kokta,
PharmD
PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident
at Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States
“After several more
years of teaching, I came to the conclusion that what we need in education is a
much better understanding of students and learning from a motivational
perspective – from a psychological perspective.”1 – Angela Lee
Duckworth, Founder and CEO of Character Lab
The conclusion Angela
Lee Duckworth refers to in her latest TED Talk is regarding the theory of grit.
Dr. Duckworth completed her undergraduate degree in advanced neurobiology
studies and her PhD in psychology. She is the founder and CEO of the
non-profit, Character Lab, with the mission to advance the practice and science
of character development. Dr. Duckworth’s research focuses on social studies involving
grit and self-control.2,3
What is Grit?
Past research looked at
various individuals, both adults and children, in a variety of challenging
situations and settings, attempting to answer the question why some individuals
accomplish more than others of equal intelligence? It has been shown that many
qualities are present in high-achieving individuals, including but not limited
to, creativity, vigor, charisma, emotional intelligence and stability, and
self-discipline. It is thought that some of these traits, such as
self-discipline may be essential to success no matter the situation or setting.
However, it was found that while self-discipline aids in success, it does not
always lead to sustained, long-term success or positive outcomes. Whereas one
characteristic not mentioned in the list above, emerged among successful,
prominent leaders in a multitude of fields as a significant predictor of sustained,
long-term success – grit.4,5
Grit is defined as
“perseverance and passion for long-term goals.”4 It involves working
persistently towards challenges while maintaining interest and
consistent effort despite difficulty, progress plateaus and failures faced.
In her latest TED Talk,
Dr. Duckworth mentions that the one thing we know how to measure best in
education is IQ – but what if doing well in school and in life was dependent on
something much greater than IQ? What if the ability to learn and think quickly
or even easily was also dependent on something greater than IQ or even greater
than talent? The theory of grit IS something greater.
The theory of grit
means to live life as if it were a marathon and not a sprint. What is meant by
this is that grit is not the number of hours put into a project or task, or the
all-nighter spent studying for an exam to receive a successful grade – grit is
not a sprint. Grit is a marathon – it means to commit to oneself daily. The
commitment involves frequent self-reflection and check-ins with the ability and
willingness to recognize and admit one’s own weaknesses to target and improve
identified weaknesses. Individuals with grit do not waste time focusing on what
they already know, instead they quickly identify opportunities for improvement
and then work hard daily to grow.
During the Educational
Theory Course, different mindsets were discussed. Specifically, the fixed
versus growth mindset. Individuals with grit have a growth mindset as they do
not see failures as set-backs, but as opportunities which will prepare them for
future challenges. This mindset and the theory of grit work hand-in-hand in
order to support sustained long-term success.
It is important for all
individuals to understand this theory, how to build grit and how to apply the
theory to everyday life. For educators, this is key to improving student
outcomes and planting seeds for lifelong personal and professional success.
Building Character with More Grit
Dr. Duckworth developed
a questionnaire
for her continued research focused on measuring and deepening our understanding
of grit. This questionnaire has the potential to be utilized as a tool to
deepen personal self-reflection and to monitor progress along the journey to
becoming more “gritty.”
As mentioned
previously, building grit is essential to success. Grit is something that can
be constantly built upon – all it takes is a commitment and willingness to
begin. The first step to building grit is to pursue something of interest.
Interested development is huge as if one does not find something interesting
there will be no opportunity to develop passion. Second, practice – then
practice some more. Grit involves hard work. Hard work develops skill. Skill
develops confidence. Confidence leads to new experiences, ultimately leading to
success.
Third, seek purpose. The difference between an individual with grit
and an individual who works hard is that the individual with grit will seek
meaning in all that they do – how the task is meaningful to them and those
around them. Lastly, by having hope and believing that things will get better
or improve because you are working to improve them is much greater than one may
think. Hope is not just a feel-good emotion, but it helps individuals overcome
difficult situations or failures – something we all face. Those with grit are
more adept to stick out and overcome challenging situations by having hope and
a growth mindset.
Educators have the unique
opportunity to speak life and success into learners. By understanding the
importance of grit, we can adjust the way we teach and give feedback to not
only promote a growth mindset but to promote the daily commitment to oneself.
Having a growth mindset alone is simply not enough for sustained success in the
long-term, but having a growth mindset with grit is.
References
4.
Duckworth AL,
Peterson C. Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2007; 92(6):
1087-1101.
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