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.
Share Image Quote: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.
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.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3669) |
| Category | Personal Development (698) |
| Topics | failure (52), perseverance (25), resilience (106) |
| Literary Style | motivational (245), simple (291) |
| Emotion / Mood | encouraging (304), optimistic (116) |
| Overall Quote Score | 78 (178) |
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.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Dr Angela Duckworth (58) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (58) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1891) |
| Original Language | English (3669) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
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.
| Official Website
| Quotation | When you have setbacks, grit helps you stay in the game and keep moving forward |
| Book Details | Publication 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) |
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.
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.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Theme | Advice (652) |
| Audiences | athletes (279), leaders (2620), professionals (752), students (3112) |
| Usage Context/Scenario | career development (33), mental strength programs (1), motivational speeches (345), self-help podcasts (7) |
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.
Grit is about holding on when others have let go. It’s that secret ingredient separating those who just start from those who truly finish. This idea flips talent on its…
Grit isn’t about working blindly toward a goal… it’s a much smarter, more personal kind of fuel. It’s about connecting your daily effort to a deeper purpose, to what you…
At its core, grit is about holding the same… Yeah, that’s the part most people miss. It’s not about grinding 24/7. It’s about having a single, guiding star for years.…
You know, the idea that “Grit grows as we figure out our life philosophy” is a game-changer. It reframes grit not as something you’re born with, but as a skill…
When we can’t see the finish line, grit is that inner engine that keeps us moving forward, even when every logical part of our brain is screaming to quit. It’s…
You know, when Kiyosaki said, “In the Information Age, the most valuable asset you can…
You know, "The richest people in the world look for and build networks" isn't just…
Your days are your life in miniature is one of those simple but profound truths…
Discipline is built by consistently doing small things well is one of those simple but…
You know, the more you take care of yourself isn't about being selfish. It's the…
You know, that idea that "There are no mistakes, only lessons" completely reframes how we…
This website uses cookies.
Read More