Pure GRIT
Am I about to get all David Goggins?! A lot of people don’t realize that grit is a bigger predictor of success than talent. Angela Duckworth’s research (University of Pennsylvania) found that talent only accounts for about 30% of achievement, and grit—the ability to push through setbacks—plays a much larger role in long-term success.
This is such an important topic because many people assume success comes from pure talent or natural ability. But the truth? Success is more about resilience, than it is about talent alone.
One of the reasons I love the concept of grit is because it forces us to embrace “failure” as part of the process. Sometimes people with incredible talent struggle more with setbacks because they haven’t developed the skill of bouncing back. Maybe they got lucky early in their journey and never had to work through failure, but when things get tough, that lack of experience catches up.
On the other hand, those who learn to treat setbacks as temporary and keep moving forward build a powerful skill set. They develop a mental toughness that purely talented people might not have if they’ve never been challenged.
Yes, hard work can feel exhausting, and it’s natural to wish things were easier. But the reality is most things worth having require consistent effort. Success isn’t about things coming easily—it’s about deciding whether something is worth the struggle and then putting in the work, no matter how tough it gets.
Now, I want to make one thing clear: Grit isn’t just about grinding through difficulty. It’s about learning from every setback. Each challenge gives you a chance to reflect, adjust, and come back stronger. This is where growth mindset comes into play—the belief that skills improve with effort and that failure is just part of the learning curve.
It’s also important to be flexible. Grit isn’t stubbornly holding on to a goal that no longer aligns with your values. If something isn’t in sync with what you care about anymore, it’s okay to pivot. Quitting isn’t failure; it’s adaptability. You’re just applying your grit to something that matters more to you.
So, success isn’t about having it easy or giving up when things get hard. It’s about finding the right balance between tenacity and adaptability. Keep getting back up, keep learning, and most importantly—keep going with purpose.