This book by Angela Duckworth is a phenomenal example of what a shift in mindset can do for you. A lot of people tend to think that success happens only if you have talent. “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” clearly lays out the idea that talent alone will, the majority of the time, not bring you success. Your work ethic and drive towards your goal are the fuel you need to reach it.
Angela Duckworth is a psychologist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania. This gives her a unique perspective to lend, as her day-to-day involves interacting with young adults who are at pivotal positions in their lives, trying to harness their talents and find a career in which they will be successful.
Duckworth pulls from personal experiences, research, and anecdotes of successful people and uses this to show the reader the difference between grit and talent. She lays out a diverse portfolio of successful anecdotes showing that ‘grit’ applies in any industry. This also keeps the novel informative while consistently keeping your attention.
Angela defines ‘grit’ as the combination of passion and perseverance. Possessing passion and perseverance arms you with the keys to your own success. This book will demonstrate the value of hard work and consistency. Even though it may seem obvious, Angela puts it in perspective so you are enlightened with the full idea. She also shows you that you have the capacity and tools you need to be successful in whatever avenue you choose.
If you are someone who fears failure and looks at their goal as a “pipe dream,” this may be the book you need to inspire you to take action. How you use your time with intention towards your goals is a key component and practical example of having grit. Duckworth emphasizes that while talent counts, effort counts twice, and she provides a compelling equation to illustrate this: Talent x effort = skill, and skill x effort = achievement.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as it put ‘grit’ at the forefront of my mind. Sometimes all you need is a reminder or a familiar piece of advice put into a new mold for you to see it differently. Angela molds this idea perfectly, in my opinion, and that’s why “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” is successful. It provides you with a framework to fully understand the meaning of ‘grit’ and how to harness it.
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