Here's something they don't teach you in school …
Being successful in life isn't about how smart you are. It's not about IQ. It's not about luck. It's not about how much money you have or who you know. It's not even about talent.
When you really want to achieve something (like, really want it with a deep burning fire that keeps you up at night), there's one trait you need more anything else…
Grit.
Without a doubt, grit is the fundamental factor for success. When you have it, anything becomes possible. Without it, that fire burning inside you will fizzle out before you even come close to your goal.
The good news is, grit isn't a fixed personality trait. It's more like a skill. You can hone it and harness it and grow more of it over time. All it takes is the right mindset.
WHAT IS GRIT?
Grit = passion x perseverance. It's a unique mindset that's created when you combine how badly you want something with how hard you're willing to work to get it.
Basketball legend Michael Jordan once said: "Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
That is the definition of grit.
A MEASURABLE INGREDIENT FOR SUCCESS
Grit isn't some loose, intangible concept created by motivational speakers. It's a proven predictor of success, backed up by scientific research.
Angela Duckworth, a distinguished researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, found that grit is a key trait in high achievers of all backgrounds. In fact, her studies conclude that grit plays an even bigger role on one's success than their innate talent.
For example, in her research, Duckworth found that military cadets at West Point who scored higher on a grit-measuring psychology test were 60% more likely to succeed than their peers.
Separately, she found that Ivy League students with more grit had higher GPAs than their peers, despite having lower SAT scores than the other students. See the difference? While the SATs are largely a test of what you know, your GPA is an overall performance score that is greatly influenced by the effort you make – not just your intellect.
But most importantly, Duckworth also discovered that the amount of grit you have can grow.
FINDING YOUR GRIT
At a.fatti, our STREETLEISURE brand was literally built on the concept of perseverance and passion.
Because here's the thing about obstacles … they're inevitable!
You're always going to run into challenges. And, the bigger your dreams, the tougher your path will be. Understanding that is a crucial first step to tackling any goal.
That is where grit becomes a mindset that you can control.
To succeed, you need to know you're going to fall. Know it's going to be hard and messy and painful. While others will claim defeat, you're going to GET. BACK. UP.
Being passionate about a goal will only get you halfway. You need persistence.
Put in the work. Make the effort. Stick with it—no matter how hard things get. That is the key to harnessing your grit, conquering your biggest challenges and getting where you want to be in your life.