Grit: Passion, Perseverance, and the Science of Success
Ratings25
Average rating4.1
15
Ratings25
Average rating4.1
In this instant New York Times bestseller, Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent, but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.” “Inspiration for non-geniuses everywhere” (People). The daughter of a scientist who frequently noted her lack of “genius,” Angela Duckworth is now a celebrated researcher and professor. It was her early eye-opening stints in teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience that led to her hypothesis about what really drives success: not genius, but a unique combination of passion and long-term perseverance. In Grit, she takes us into the field to visit cadets struggling through their first days at West Point, teachers working in some of the toughest schools, and young finalists in the National Spelling Bee. She also mines fascinating insights from history and shows what can be gleaned from modern experiments in peak performance. Finally, she shares what she’s learned from interviewing dozens of high achievers—from JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff to Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll. “Duckworth’s ideas about the cultivation of tenacity have clearly changed some lives for the better” (The New York Times Book Review). Among Grit’s most valuable insights: any effort you make ultimately counts twice toward your goal; grit can be learned, regardless of IQ or circumstances; when it comes to child-rearing, neither a warm embrace nor high standards will work by themselves; how to trigger lifelong interest; the magic of the Hard Thing Rule; and so much more. Winningly personal, insightful, and even life-changing, Grit is a book about what goes through your head when you fall down, and how that—not talent or luck—makes all the difference. This is “a fascinating tour of the psychological research on success” (The Wall Street Journal).
Reviews with the most likes.
My second favorite book of the year on the psychology of high achievement, after Anders K. Ericsson's awesome Peak. Highly recommended read for anyone searching for their passion or looking to become better at what they do.
This was a great non-fiction listen for me, as it had a solid mix of arguments with data/support I prefer in reads like this. My only issue is that it didn't strongly enough lay out how to become grittier even though it sets out to do that for the second half of the book. Still, I felt seeds were planted and I recommend.
Hard to stay interested initially, but well worth the effort
It took me a few weeks to get through the first third of the book, and just a few days to polish off the rest. A marginal case of applying what I read. I'm already planning on reading it again in a month or so - to go from understanding to absorbing the paths to more grit.
A fascinating exploration of Grit. There's even a Grit questionnaire to assess how gritty you are. I'm moderately gritty BTW - happily mediocre. I'm aware I could be grittier and resolve to do so, but then I've already moved on to the next book.
I like the idea though. It seems like a hearty admonishment of work and stick-to-it-ness that appeals to my Asian upbringing - Duckworth herself is raised by Chinese immigrants. It's resonated far more than the conversing with your creativity ala Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic or Brené Brown's focus on shame and our own imperfections. And like all the best pop-psych books there's lots of anecdotes from folks at the top of their game. Truly gritty paragons.
And it's reassuring for those of us lacking natural talents or long past the age to ever be considered a prodigy of anything. That through focused effort and perseverance we can excel. An extension of Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000 hours. Perseverance and passion - perhaps distilled down to this it's nothing new but nonetheless an engrossing read that got me thinking of where I could be grittier and how to raise grittier kids.
