Yesterday, I picked up a book called, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. The book is by Angela Duckworth, a MacArthur Fellow and professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. I was first introduced to her work in a TED Talk I saw several months ago on the very same topic:
https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance?language=en
The book talks about our fascination with talent and how we often assume having innate gifts is enough to reach our highest ambitions. It turns out, grit often often trumps talent. In fact, having talent is not only enough, but it is not necessarily a guarantee that one will have grit.
Ms. Duckworth goes on to list several examples of students, members of the armed services, and athletes who may not have been the most naturally gifted, but possessed a ferocious sense of fortitude.
"First, these exemplars were unusually resilient and hardworking. Second, they knew in a very, very deep way what it was they wanted. They not only had determination, they had direction.
The book is full of compelling discoveries and anecdotes that are both inspiring and backed by years of research. It's a book I highly suggest picking up if you get the chance. It might just put an extra bounce in your step.
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