Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Angela Duckworth (2016)
“A psychologist who studied West Point cadets, National Spelling Bee champions, and rookie teachers in tough neighborhoods discovers that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls 'grit.'”
For Students
Grit provides a research-backed answer to one of the most important questions you face: what determines whether you will succeed at the things that matter to you? The answer — sustained passion and perseverance, not innate talent — is both challenging (it means you can't blame failure on lack of ability) and empowering (it means improvement is always possible). The four-part framework (interest, practice, purpose, hope) gives you a concrete roadmap for developing the persistence that achievement requires.
For Teachers
Duckworth's research provides empirical support for what many teachers intuit: that character and effort matter as much as or more than innate ability. The book offers specific strategies for fostering grit in students — through wise feedback, structured challenge, and cultures of high expectation — while also raising important questions about the limits of individual-level interventions in the face of structural barriers.
Why It Still Matters
Whether you are pursuing a career, building a relationship, raising children, or working toward any long-term goal, grit — the combination of passion and perseverance — is the single best predictor of whether you will get there. Duckworth's framework applies to any domain where sustained effort is required, which is to say: every domain that matters.