What factors contribute to someone’s grit?

According to Duckworth, you can trace the origins of grit in someone to four psychological assets. She says that these assets can be cultivated, meaning that you can actively work on them to improve your grittiness.

Interest: Interest is fairly simple. It is incredibly difficult to be gritty about something you are not interested in. This makes sense to all of us, as we have all know how difficult it is to get motivated about something we are not interested in.

Capacity to do deliberate practice: A gritty person needs to know what it is and be willing to do it. Deliberate practice is typically done alone and focusses on practicing things one cannot yet do or do well. It is the most effortful of the types of practice and most of the time it offers no reward. This commitment without reward is a hallmark of gritty individuals and generally translates into improvement and success.

Sense of purpose: Duckworth says that everyone who has grit finds meaning and purposes in what they do. This sense of purpose is what exemplifies the passion and perseverance we associate with grit.

Hope: Gritty individuals have the hope to keep going when hope seems lost. This ability to keep hope when others lose hope is what allows gritty individuals to endure their struggles. Although this hope is vital to gritty individuals success, it can be illogical in get in their own way sometimes.

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