The Transformative Power of ‘Grit’

Harnessing Passion and Perseverance to Meet Goals

The Transformative Power of ‘Grit’

By: Kendra Hart

Edited By: Justin Teeuwen

As the festive season winds down, many of us reflect

on the year gone by, and set ambitious goals for the year ahead. January is the month of New Year’s resolutions- those commitments we make to ourselves to improve and grow. But how many of us have the grit to see those resolutions through? Psychologist Angela Duckworth conceptualises ‘grit’ as the intersection between passion and sustained perseverance applied towards long-term goals¹. It’s about having the stamina to stick with your goals, no matter how challenging they may seem.

Grit can help you turn your resolutions into a reality. 

In the world of business, organizational grit is your secret weapon to outlast the competition and achieve greatness². While there are various factors which can boost success of an organization, from resources to prior experience, grit is a constant predictor of long-term goal achievement. When comparing evenly-matched talents in any field, grit is a reliable predictor of success¹.

So, you have some ambitious goals to grow personally or professionally.

What does it take to keep your motivation from fizzling out before the time is right?

1. Discover Your Passion and Purpose

   Passion is an essential ingredient for true grittiness. People perform better at work and remain more engaged with goals when they are doing what interests them1. Motivation is also supported by meaning³. Make sure you know why you do what you do to establish a sense of purpose.

PRO TIP: Consider the ways in which your work contributes to the well-being of others. How do you find value in what you do?

2. Engage in Reflection

   Although it may seem counterintuitive, research has shown that reflecting on past failures and setbacks can boost perseverance and sustained attention, as we learn from and bridge the gaps between our desires and our achievements⁴. It is possible that reflection on past challenges reminds us to apply effort, be patient, and display care to meet our goals. 

PRO TIP: Draw upon your recollections of past failures, but do not dwell on them. Gritty people view challenges as opportunities to improve⁵.

3. Practice

   Dedicate yourself to getting better and better. Understand that improvement comes not just with time, but with effort over time. Avoid complacency, and continuously apply yourself to rise to challenges and become the best leader, worker, and individual you can be. Be thoughtful about how you practice. Remember, practice isn’t just about spending more time on a task; it’s also about making effective use of that time to increase improvement¹.  

PRO TIP: Grit is associated with adopting a growth mindset: the belief that intelligence is malleable and can be developed through hard work⁶. To stay motivated in practice, remember that failure is not fixed, and practice is what helps us overcome.

Grit has been linked to one of the Big Five personality traits – conscientiousness3. Individuals who naturally possess high levels of conscientiousness may be more likely to display grit. The Grit Scale⁷, developed by Angela Duckworth, can help you assess your natural aptitude for grittiness. But what about those of us who need to develop grit? Thankfully, grit can be cultivated, and it is contagious! As Duckworth recommends: “If you want to be grittier, find a gritty culture and join it. If you’re a leader, and you want the people in your organization to be grittier, create a gritty culture1”. 

At Meta Excellence, we have a culture of grit. We specialize in growing cognitive, emotional, wellness, and leadership skills that hone passion and perseverance. We work with clients who want to harness their determination to effectively strategize and maintain focus so they win at not just the sprint, but the marathon of life. If you are still building that sense of determination, Meta Excellence offers support to help you explore passion and purpose to unlock your ‘why’ and carve a path to success.

Consider this: What would your life look like if you truly embraced grit? Whether it’s leading your team to new heights or conquering personal goals, grit will be your ally to help you follow-through on your ambitions. To learn more about cultivating grit to enhance your organization, or to keep the momentum towards your goals going all year long, set up a free consultation with a Meta Coach.

1. Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The power of passion and perseverance. New York, NY: Scribner.

2. de Waal, A., Burrell, J., Drake, S., Sampa, C., & Mulimbika, T. (2023). How to stay high-performing: developing organizational grit. Measuring Business Excellence, 27(1), 25-39.

3. Berk, R. A. (2018). Grit 2.0: A review with strategies to deal with disappointment, rejection, and failure. The Journal of Faculty Development, 32(2), 91-104.

4. DiMenichi, B. C., & Richmond, L. L. (2015). Reflecting on past failures leads to increased perseverance and sustained attention. Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 27(2), 180–193. https://doi.org/10.1080/20445911.2014.995104

5. Credé, M. (2018). What shall we do about grit? A critical review of what we know and what we don’t know. Educational Researcher, 47(9), 606-611.

6. Tang, X., Wang, M. T., Guo, J., & Salmela-Aro, K. (2019). Building grit: The longitudinal pathways between mindset, commitment, grit, and academic outcomes. Journal of youth and adolescence, 48, 850-863.

7. Duckworth, A. L. (n.d.). Grit Scale. https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-scale/

8. Perlis, M. (2013, October 29). 5 characteristics of grit: What it is, why you need it, and do you have it? Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/margaretperlis/2013/10/29/5-characteristics-of-grit-what-it-is-why-you-need-it-and-do-you-have-it/