Grit:

A distinct combination of passion, resilience, determination, and focus that allows a person to maintain the discipline and optimism to persevere in their goals even in the face of discomfort, rejection, and a lack of visible progress for years, or even decades.

Can we do to teach grit? How do we help to push ourselves? What can we do to be open and receptive to these tough lessons? Here are the top 4 ways to build your OWN grit!

#1 Find a Passion (or At Least an Engaging Activity)

One of the characteristics of “gritty” people is that they are passionate. I don’t think people can become truly gritty and great at things they don’t love, so when we try to develop grit in ourselves, we need to find and cultivate our passions! Obviously, each person can choose his or her “thing” but it should be both interesting and require practice daily.  The idea is to teach yourself to commit to something and work hard.

#2 Recognize That Frustration, Confusion and Practice Are Par for the Course

It’s not that we should never change interests or shift activities as you go, we do have the right to change our minds, but understanding the value of practice, hard work and even struggle may be the thing that carries you across the finish line. STOP giving up so easily!

#3 Take Risks (and Tell Others About It)

Grit demands risk taking. Successful people are willing to step out of their comfort zones and risk failure in order to learn something new or pursue a long-term goal. And while a risk may end in failure, successful adults don’t give up.

#4 Realize That Failure Is Not the End

Grit means maintaining the hope and vision to change even under the most challenging circumstances. In order to teach ourselves to be resilient, we need to study real examples of how failures and setbacks can lead to success, by reading about them regularly, listening to other people’s experiences, and most importantly allowing yourself to fail.

You are not born with or without grit.  You CAN improve yours, with these simple steps.