GRIT – What Is It and How Can We Use It?
Dr. Angela Duckworth, who co-founded The Character Lab, published a major research paper in 2007 that defined GRIT like this:
“Grit entails working strenuously toward challenges, maintaining effort and interest over years despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in progress. The gritty individual approaches achievement as a marathon; his or her advantage is stamina. Whereas disappointment or boredom signals to others that it is time to change trajectory and cut losses, the gritty individual stays the course.” (1, p1088, emphasis added]
That idea of staying the course really resonates with me. But I don’t believe that grit is just about being dedicated to a goal. It’s deeper than that. Grit is about loving what you’re doing—feeling that fire in your belly even when things get tough. It’s about having a passion for your goals and letting that passion guide how you approach each day.
I remember speaking to new athletes coming into the para cycling program and saying, “If you're only here to make the team, it won’t happen.” But if you love the sport—if you're excited by the process, the training, even the hard efforts—that passion will carry you through the setbacks. That’s where grit starts to show up.
Every year, I set new goals, and because I truly love riding, it never felt like a chore. Even on freezing mornings, I got up and trained—because the passion was there.
So, how can we use grit?
Whether you’re chasing athletic dreams or building a business, grit is your edge. When you align passion with consistent effort and back it up with commitment, you’ll go further than talent alone can take you. Grit helps you stay focused when others quit. It keeps you moving forward when progress feels slow. And it reminds you that success isn’t about a single moment—it's about showing up, again and again, with your eyes on something bigger.
Tap into your passion, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and trust that grit will take you the distance.
1. Duckworth, A. et al. (2007) Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 92. No. 6. p. 1087-1101.