When you have setbacks grit helps you stay Meaning Factcheck Usage
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When you have setbacks, grit is what keeps you from throwing in the towel. It’s the fuel that powers you through the tough patches and helps you keep moving forward, no matter what.

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Meaning

This quote gets to the absolute heart of what grit is. It’s not about talent or initial passion. It’s about staying power when things get hard.

Explanation

Look, we all hit walls. We all have projects that stall, deals that fall through, and days where nothing goes right. Talent might get you to the starting line, but grit is what drags you across the finish line. It’s that deep, stubborn persistence that makes you get up after a knockout punch. It’s the voice in your head that says, “One more step,” when every part of you wants to quit. It’s the difference between a flash in the pan and a lasting fire.

Quote Summary

ContextAttributes
Original LanguageEnglish (3668)
CategoryPersonal Development (697)
Topicsfailure (52), perseverance (25), resilience (106)
Literary Stylemotivational (245), simple (291)
Emotion / Moodencouraging (304), optimistic (116)
Overall Quote Score78 (178)
Reading Level60
Aesthetic Score75

Origin & Factcheck

This idea comes straight from Angela Duckworth’s 2016 book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. It’s a concept born from her years of research in the United States, studying everyone from West Point cadets to National Spelling Bee champions. And no, it’s not just a repackaging of “never give up.” It’s a specific, research-backed blend of passion and perseverance.

Attribution Summary

ContextAttributes
AuthorDr Angela Duckworth (58)
Source TypeBook (4032)
Source/Book NameGrit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (58)
Origin Timeperiod21st Century (1892)
Original LanguageEnglish (3668)
AuthenticityVerified (4032)

Author Bio

Angela Duckworth is a University of Pennsylvania psychology professor and MacArthur Fellow whose research focuses on grit, self-control, and achievement. She taught middle school before earning her PhD at Penn and later founded Character Lab to advance the science of character development. Her bestseller Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance has shaped thinking in education and performance science. She co-hosts No Stupid Questions on the Freakonomics network. If you’re browsing the Angela Duckworth book list, you’ll find practical, research-backed guidance for cultivating passion and perseverance.
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Where is this quotation located?

QuotationWhen you have setbacks, grit helps you stay in the game and keep moving forward
Book DetailsPublication Year/Date: 2016; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-1501111105; Last edition: Scribner 2016; Number of pages: 352
Where is it?Chapter 9: Hope, page 180 (2016 Edition)

Authority Score90

Context

Duckworth isn’t talking about blind stubbornness here. In the book, she frames grit within the context of a long-term goal. The setbacks aren’t just minor inconveniences; they’re the inevitable obstacles on the path to achieving something you deeply care about. Grit is what keeps you locked on to that distant horizon.

Usage Examples

I use this all the time. Seriously. When a team member is discouraged after a failed product launch, I remind them that this is where grit is built. When an entrepreneur is facing their third “no” from an investor, this is the quote that reframes the “no” as data, not a death sentence. It’s perfect for leaders coaching their teams, mentors guiding protégés, or even just a personal mantra when you’re the one having a rough week.

To whom it appeals?

ContextAttributes
ThemeAdvice (652)
Audiencesathletes (279), leaders (2619), professionals (751), students (3111)
Usage Context/Scenariocareer development (33), mental strength programs (1), motivational speeches (345), self-help podcasts (7)

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Motivation Score85
Popularity Score80
Shareability Score82

FAQ

Question: Is grit the same as just working hard?

Answer: Not exactly. Hard work is a component, but grit specifically combines that sustained effort with a consistent, enduring passion for a long-term goal.

Question: Can you learn to be “grittier”?

Answer: Absolutely. Duckworth’s research is clear on this. It’s not a fixed trait. You can cultivate it by developing your interests, practicing deliberately, connecting your work to a larger purpose, and adopting a hopeful, resilient mindset.

Question: What’s the biggest misconception about grit?

Answer: That it means never changing course. Gritty people are adaptable. They persevere toward their ultimate goal, but they’re smart about it—they’ll pivot their strategy, learn from failure, and find a new path forward. It’s stamina, not stubbornness.

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