Today I received a book from my college and friend Mrs. Caswell @casswellsusan, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. I have been wanting to read the book since it came out last May. Mrs. Medendorp has read it and shared what she learned with rave reviews. Here is an exert from the amazon.com review of the book.
"In this instant New York Times bestseller, pioneering
psychologist Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed—be it
parents, students, educators, athletes, or business people—that the
secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of
passion and persistence she calls “grit.”
Drawing on her own
powerful story as the daughter of a scientist who frequently noted her
lack of “genius,” Duckworth, now a celebrated researcher and professor,
describes her early eye-opening stints in teaching, business consulting,
and neuroscience, which led to the hypothesis that what really drives
success is not “genius” but a unique combination of passion and
long-term perseverance.
In Grit, she takes readers 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.
Among Grit’s most valuable insights:
*Why any effort you make ultimately counts twice toward your goal
*How grit can be learned, regardless of I.Q. or circumstances
*How lifelong interest is triggered
*How much of optimal practice is suffering and how much ecstasy
*Which is better for your child—a warm embrace or high standards
*The magic of the Hard Thing Rule
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."
If the amazon.com review didn't wet your whistle to learn more about grit maybe Angela Duckworth's TED talk about the subject is more up your alley.
Another great resource is the video from www.characterlab.com about Grit.
Dr. Angela Duckworth talks about Grit from Character Lab on Vimeo.