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Grit, the raw endurance, perseverance, and passion that keeps you
going despite obstacles.
While resiliency is the ability to bounce back from adversity and keep moving forward in the face of adversity, grit is a belief in yourself and a commitment to never give up. While the Merriam-Webster Dictionary has several definitions for grit, I like the one that reads, “grit is a firmness of mind or spirit: an unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger.” Wow! A survivor who is determined to thrive amid adversity whether in your workplace, family or community. Grit is a dominant leadership trait that is developed by a never give up attitude.
A Historical Story of Grit
Throughout history, many have and continue to inspire us. One of my heroines is Harriet Tubman. One of the things that I found most impressive about her was her tenacity and her grit in the very face of adversity. While this amazing woman courageously escaped slavery herself, she boldly committed her life to free those who were still in captivity. Throughout her life, she fought tirelessly for the abolition of slavery, freeing hundreds of slaves through the Underground Railroad. Her life reflects a passion for what she believed in. The drive to bring others to freedom was empowered by her resolve and tenacity.
As you pause and think about what drives your passion for achieving your goals, I am confident that you will agree that both physical and emotional pain accompanies it. Whatever your passion is, real grit comes from pursuing a purpose higher than yourself. Tubman would never have been able to achieve her goals if she were timid and easily discouraged. With a goal this important, she needed to be courageous. When I think about what drives my grit, I am reminded of the importance of not waiting for the right time to pursue our goals but instead start where you are – NOW!
Developing YOUR Grit
Do you struggle with feeling that you’re not skilled enough to achieve your dreams? Do you contemplate throwing in the towel? If you do, I need you to abandon that thought and develop a never give up attitude. You must develop a willingness to keep pushing past the obstacles in front of you. Developing your grit may require you to put in a couple of extra hours to achieve your goals. It will require you to identify and block all distractions. It will require more self-discipline to gain greater clarity and focus on your goals. Developing your grit is going to challenge you to move beyond a place of surviving to a place of thriving through every challenge you face.
When faced with challenges, it will be vital that you follow your heart. Specifically, be intentional to focus on what matters most to you. Here are three steps you can take to build your grit:
- Identify the goal that you are most passionate about, that truly inspires, drives, and fascinates you.
- Be willing to make changes that aligns you with your true passion.
- Practice, practice, practice, as much as possible! It’s how you develop your skills.
What I’ve learned is that people with grit embrace each day as a new challenge and an opportunity for growth. When you run into a problem, don’t give up and accept it as fate. Instead, make an effort to become the person you are destined to be.
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