MONDAY MUSINGS: GRIT!

If Webster told me I could only choose one word from his dictionary, it would be Grit. I love that word. It’s short, unpretentious, and really packs a punch. Grit doesn’t feel the need to compete with longer more important-sounding words you can’t pronounce or even spell. Webster defines grit as a ‘Firmness of character; indomitable spirit’. And that is why it is my very favourite word, the characteristic I most admire in others, and the one thing I want to supercharge in myself!

Grit is what has kept Oprah Winfrey at the top of her game, despite being sacked early on in her t.v. career and being told she was ‘Unfit for t.v.’. Grit is why we know who Dr. Seuss is today. After his first book was rejected by 27 different Publishers, he knew he could — and he did publish that book! Grit is what Meryl Streep had after being told she wasn’t pretty enough to be a successful actress, and so the story goes…

Nearer to home, grit is what my Grandmother Lena had when left a sorrowing widow at the tender age of 32, with three young children to look after. She cycled 16 miles every day, rain or shine, to her job in the Post Office. Eventually, she became Postmistress, earned more money, invested in property, bought 3 holidays homes which she rented out in the Summer. In addition, she built a big Post Office, shop, and guest house with ten bedrooms. Later, she married again — this time to the most eligible Bachelor in town! —the woman was ahead of her time. That’s what you call Grit — True Grit!!

Author and Professor, Angela Duckworth, is a virtuoso on all that is gritty and great. You can listen to her wax lyrical about it on Ted Talks. If you have a dream, or a goal in mind, it would help to listen to her well-studied ideas on the subject. She has defined grit as a “Sustained perseverance and passion for long-term goals.” The good news on grit is that you can take steps to improve your grittiness. Here are some suggestions from the experts in the field:

Set Goals.

Pursue your passions.

Surround yourself with people that will help you achieve your goals.

Look at failure as a stepping stone to success.

Define your own values and be resilient.

Practice with a purpose. 

Practice, Practice, Practice — because it ultimately makes perfect!

Focus on mastering each skill on your roadmap to goal achievement.

In Daniel Pink’s book Drive he says that to be the best, you need to do 10% more than other people. Malcolm Gladwell, in his book Outliers, points to research that states in order to master a skill, it takes 10,000 hours of practice. No shortcuts. Practice, Practice, Practice. It’s your grit that keeps you coming back each day, focused on mastering each skill on your roadmap to goal achievement. The Power of Passion and Persistence is vital and also — Don’t Quit!

Finally, in order to be the grittiest gritter in grit world, it helps to:

Stay Strong in the face of pain!

Be meticulous, detail-oriented, and careful.

Stay confident, committed and optimistic!

Be outstanding or extremely good at what you do.

Stay put in difficult situations to achieve your long-term goals.

Have a great new week and Yes!! I want to be the grittiest gritter in grit world!!

Let’s re-phrase that!! I AM the grittiest gritter in grit world!! Put that in your purse and in prominent places to remind you!!

Lots of love,

Patricia and Coco xxx