I came across this post on Instagram and it reminded me of her book that I read called “Grit”.

Grit is defined as a personality trait: “Grit is passion and perseverance for long-term and meaningful goals. It is the ability to persist in something you feel passionate about and persevere when you face obstacles. This kind of passion is not about intense emotions or infatuation.” Basically, grit is something inside of you that doesn’t simply go away. It is a trait that you either have but that you can also cultivate, if you are passionate enough about what you are trying to achieve, and if you are mentally strong to overcome anything that comes your way.

In the old school of thought, a person was always hired or judged based on either test results or IQ, but researchers made studies over the years where they would discover that a person’s success in life was not going hand in hand with that person’s academic result or innate apparent intelligence. In fact, those that thought they could get anywhere in life only thanks to their A’s, would often be the ones to fail? Why is that?

They grew complacent. They thought that just because they were smart and good students, the job was done and they wouldn’t have to make any additional effort. But the reality is, as studies show, no matter what your background is, you can be successful through commitment, dedication, passion and perseverance.

Grit is about pushing yourself day in and day out.

I think the best example of grit is athletes. They practice daily, incessantly, for years on end, with stamina and passion pushing their boundaries. They are not born that way: they become.

So how can we translate the concept of grit in everyday life?

Everyone can become anything they want to be. No matter where you come from, no matter your social status, no matter if you were a school drop out or coming from a broken home. Grit is a fire inside of you that you can fuel daily and can take you to places you never imagined possible. Grit is about habits and strong commitment, it is knowing that if you apply yourself enough to something, you will get results.

Another important part of grit, and this is my personal thought, is that it is a race with yourself. I believe that those who feel naturally successful without having to move a finger, often times want to be winners just to show off, just to be recognized and idolized, and respected for something given instead of earned. While those with grit are in a competition to be better just to improve themselves and show to themselves that they can succeed. They don’t care what others think. They just have a goal set up for themselves, and not by others or society, and they do everything they can to achieve it.

My previous post about habits and our ability to change them, interlinks with grit. If you consciously make a decision to change or to achieve your dreams, grit is something that you can cultivate in time, and that makes you unstoppable. The right habits will change your mindset and your focus, and allow you to be mentally stronger, avoiding the voices in your head or coming from the outside world that are trying to tell you otherwise.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do something. Only you have the power to either win or lose the battle with your inner demons. Block out the outside world and reach for the stars.