The Grit Mind Builds Success
- Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
- Mar 24
- 2 min read
Forget luck or talent—real success comes from grit. That stubborn, relentless drive to keep going when everything sucks. Think of it as the mental duct tape holding your dreams together when they start falling apart.
What Even Is Grit?
Grit is refusing to quit, no matter how many times life trips you. Psychologist Angela Duckworth calls it "passion + perseverance on steroids." It is what separates the "I tried" folks from the "I made it" crowd.
The Grit Formula
Do you want to build grit? Follow this lead:
Stay obsessed with your goals (Just a Little) – Find something you care about enough to suffer for then do it with all vigor and zeal in you.
Move Forward – Have you failed before and right now, it scares you to try again? Do not stop, failure only teaches you to move on and try again.
Have you lost interest in trying? – Motivate yourself and always remember that success will look good on you.
Enjoy your journey – If challenges scare you, then you just may be doing it the wrong way. Embrace your challenges and love the process it is taking you through.
Grit for Students & Career Warriors
Embrace Challenges – Every difficulty presents an opportunity to learn. Approach tough assignments, demanding projects, and career setbacks with a problem-solving mindset.
Seek Inspiration – Learn from stories of great achievers who have demonstrated grit in their lives. Whether it's Oprah Winfrey overcoming adversity or Elon Musk pushing through failures, resilience is a common trait of successful individuals.
Build a Strong Support System – Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and colleagues who encourage and challenge you to keep pushing forward.
Practice Self-Care – While grit involves pushing forward, it’s also important to rest, recharge, and maintain your mental well-being.
Bottom Line
Grit is not magic—it is just refusing to stay down. Talent might open doors, but grit kicks them down. So next time you feel like giving up, ask yourself: "What would a ridiculously gritty person do?" Then do that.
Now go get gritty.
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