Passion + Perseverance = Grit

YOUR ABUNDANCE JOURNEY BEGINS ON SUNDAYS

When psychologist Angela Duckworth was growing up, her father frequently reminded her that she was “no genius.” Imagine carrying that message from someone whose approval mattered deeply to you. Fortunately, she didn’t allow his assessment to determine her future.

Duckworth went on to become a teacher, researcher, professor, and recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, commonly called the “Genius Grant.” Along the way, she became fascinated by a question: Why do some people accomplish extraordinary things while others with equal or even greater talent do not? Her research led to one powerful word: grit.

Duckworth describes grit as the combination of passion and perseverance directed toward long-term goals. Talent matters, but talent alone doesn’t carry us through disappointment, rejection, boredom, setbacks, and those long stretches when very little seems to be happening.

I understand this from my years in the theater. I wasn’t the most naturally gifted dancer in every room. There were always people with better extension, higher jumps, stronger technique, or more natural ability. What I had was an extraordinary desire to be there, and I was willing to keep working.

That distinction matters spiritually because we sometimes mistake difficulty for Divine guidance. Something gets hard and we wonder, “Maybe this isn’t meant to be.” Maybe. Or maybe it’s simply hard. Our dreams don’t become meaningless because achieving them requires effort. Sometimes difficulty is precisely where we discover how deeply something matters to us.

Grit doesn’t mean stubbornly pursuing something that no longer serves us. Our dreams can change, and wisdom sometimes tells us to release a particular path. Grit means that when something still calls to our heart, we are willing to keep showing up, learning, adjusting, and trying again. Your greatest advantage may not be extraordinary talent, perfect circumstances, or knowing the right people. It may simply be your willingness to keep going.

PRACTICE FOR THE WEEK: Strengthen Your Grit

Choose one goal that still matters deeply to you but has become difficult.

Instead of asking, “Why isn’t this happening?” ask: What can this difficulty teach me?

Then take one action that demonstrates your continued commitment.

RESOURCES TO EXPLORE

⭐ Angela Duckworth – Grit Research and Resources

⭐Take the Grit Scale

Quote of the week

“Talent may open the door. Grit is what gets you to the top floor.”

Life is too short to play small.
with gratitude, Ken Daigle