GRIT by Angela Duckworth | Animated CORE Message

Summary

In 'Grit' by Angela Duckworth, the psychologist from the University of Pennsylvania explores the true determinants of success, challenging the common belief in natural talent. Through various studies, she concludes that effort is twice as important as talent, as encapsulated by her formula: Talent x Effort = Skill, and Skill x Effort = Achievement. Duckworth advocates for cultivating grit through four strategies: developing fascination, striving for daily improvement, recognizing a greater purpose, and adopting a growth mindset. She inspires the belief that anyone can achieve greatness by applying consistent effort, regardless of innate talent.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Angela Duckworth's research indicates that effort is twice as important as talent in determining success.
• 🧠 The formula for achievement is talent multiplied by effort, which equals skill, and then skill multiplied by effort, which equals achievement.
• 🏆 Grit, or the sustained application of effort towards long-term goals, is identified as the biggest predictor of lifelong success.
• 🚫 Society often overvalues natural talent and underestimates the power of consistent effort.
• 🚀 Recognizing that talent counts once and effort counts twice can be liberating, suggesting that anyone can achieve great things with enough effort.
• 🏋️‍♂️ There are limitations to what anyone can achieve, but effort can help individuals maximize their potential within those limits.
• 🌱 Growing grit is possible by focusing on four areas: developing fascination, striving for daily improvement, reminding oneself of the greater purpose, and adopting a growth mindset.
• 🤔 Fascination with a subject can drive individuals to maintain grit and persist in the face of challenges.
• 💪 Daily improvement, competing with oneself, and constant self-competition can foster a gritty mindset.
• 🌟 A strong sense of purpose, beyond personal pleasure, is linked to higher levels of grit.
• 🧠 A growth mindset, believing in the potential for change and learning, is essential for developing grit and achieving success.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Angela Duckworth's research?

Angela Duckworth's research focuses on understanding who is successful and why, with a particular interest in whether talent or effort is the biggest predictor of success.

What does Angela Duckworth's formula for achievement suggest?

Angela Duckworth's formula suggests that 'talent times effort equals skill, and skill times effort equals achievement,' highlighting the importance of effort in achieving success.

What is grit according to Angela Duckworth?

Grit, as defined by Angela Duckworth, is the sustained application of effort towards a long-term goal, which she has found to be the biggest predictor of lifelong achievement.

How does Angela Duckworth propose to grow grit?

Angela Duckworth suggests growing grit by developing a fascination with what you're trying to do, striving to improve each day, reminding yourself of the greater purpose, and adopting a growth mindset.

What role does fascination play in developing grit according to the book 'Grit'?

Fascination plays a crucial role in developing grit as it drives curiosity and interest, which in turn motivates sustained effort and persistence towards long-term goals.

Why is striving to improve daily important for building grit?

Striving to improve daily is important for building grit because it fosters a habit of constant learning and self-improvement, which are key components of maintaining effort over time.

How does having a greater purpose contribute to one's grit, as per Angela Duckworth's research?

Having a greater purpose contributes to grit by providing a sense of meaning and direction that goes beyond personal pleasure, which can motivate individuals to sustain their efforts towards their goals.

What is the significance of a growth mindset in achieving success according to the book 'Grit'?

A growth mindset is significant for achieving success because it involves believing that one's abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, rather than being fixed, which encourages sustained effort and resilience in the face of challenges.

How does Angela Duckworth's research challenge the common belief about natural talent?

Angela Duckworth's research challenges the common belief about natural talent by demonstrating that while talent is important, effort is even more critical in determining success, as it can be applied to develop skill and ultimately achievement.

What is the significance of the 'talent counts once, effort counts twice' principle in the context of the book 'Grit'?

The principle 'talent counts once, effort counts twice' signifies that while talent is necessary, it is the application of consistent effort that truly drives skill development and achievement, emphasizing the value of hard work over innate ability.

How does the book 'Grit' encourage readers to approach their limitations?

The book 'Grit' encourages readers to approach their limitations by recognizing that while certain physical or innate talents may be fixed, the capacity for effort and growth is not, allowing individuals to excel within their own contexts through perseverance and determination.