Welcome to my GRIT book review, where I explore Angela Duckworth’s insights on how passion and perseverance are the true drivers of success.
A few days ago, I finished reading the book GRIT by Angela Duckworth, a work that delves deep into the qualities that contribute to a happy and successful life. GRIT, as Duckworth defines it, is the combination of passion and perseverance—the strength to pursue long-term goals despite obstacles and setbacks. While the book didn’t offer me many new insights, it reinforced many of the principles I had already clarified for myself. It emphasized once again that intelligence and talent are not fixed traits and that these qualities are only part of the puzzle when it comes to success. What truly matters is what you do with these qualities: consistently working hard toward a goal, persisting despite setbacks, and remaining hopeful in difficult times.
Angela outlines four essential pillars of GRIT in her book:
Interest: This begins with curiosity. It’s crucial to try out different things to discover what you are truly passionate about. This exploration forms the foundation for further development.
Practice: Once you’ve found an interest, it’s important to work on it systematically, even when the going gets tough. Through practice and continued dedication, you improve, learn from setbacks, and develop your skills. Over time, this commitment can lead to a deep passion for your chosen interest.
Passion: Passion is the ultimate goal, your dream. It’s a deeply rooted drive that you feel after a long period of interest and practice. This passion doesn’t appear overnight but grows as you gain experience and your expertise develops. At some point, you realize that with your skills, you can make a unique contribution to the world.
Hope: Hope is essential for overcoming obstacles and maintaining motivation. To me, hope combines optimism with a touch of naivety—a belief in yourself, even when things seem difficult. The understanding that the world is full of opportunities and that both victories and setbacks are valuable learning experiences is at the heart of this principle.
Angela concludes with a discussion on cultivating GRIT, both within ourselves and in the communities we live in. She emphasizes the importance of creating a culture where GRIT is central, where we set high standards for ourselves and others and continually strive to meet those standards. She argues that challenges and difficulties often lead to a deeper sense of fulfillment and happiness in life.
For me, life is a game, and like any game, there are different ways to interpret the rules. I choose to play life by the rules of GRIT: a life that is happy, hopeful, and full of opportunities.
