The new cultural belief that everything should be Meaning Factcheck Usage

Context

In Daring Greatly, Brown is exploring vulnerability and the courage to show up when you can’t control the outcome. This quote sits right in the middle of that conversation. She argues that this cultural mandate for “fun, fast, and easy” makes us incredibly risk-averse. We’re afraid to try hard things because we’re afraid of the struggle, the awkward phase, the very process that builds character.

Usage Examples

I use this all the time. For instance, when coaching a new manager who’s frustrated that building team trust isn’t happening overnight. I’ll say, “Remember Brown’s quote. This isn’t supposed to be fast or easy. This is the work.” It’s perfect for:

• Aspiring entrepreneurs hitting their first major roadblock.
• Students who want to drop a tough class because it’s “not fun.”
• Anyone learning a new skill, like a language or instrument, in the boring plateau phase.

To whom it appeals?

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Common Questions

Question: Does this mean nothing in life should be enjoyable?

Answer: Not at all! It’s about rejecting the expectation that everything must be enjoyable to be worthwhile. The greatest fulfillment often comes from achieving something that was hard.

Question: How is this different from just promoting burnout?

Answer: Crucial distinction. Grit is about sustained passion and perseverance toward a long-term goal. Burnout is exhaustion from overwork, often without a deeper sense of purpose. Grit has a “why”; burnout is just a “how much.”

Question: Can you have grit in a world designed for convenience?

Answer: You have to be intentional. You have to actively choose the harder path sometimes—putting your phone away to read a dense book, taking on a challenging project—because the environment won’t encourage it. You have to fight for your own grit.