Grit to Great

What if the secret to success isn’t talent, but grit – the relentless drive to keep going, no matter the odds?

1. Hard Work Beats Talent

Many believe talent is the ultimate key to greatness, yet this book argues otherwise. Relying solely on natural ability can lead to complacency, while people with fewer innate skills often push harder for success. The authors emphasize that passion and perseverance are far more significant than talent alone.

Those who focus on dedicated effort tend to achieve more than those who depend on talent. People who invest time in learning and improving grow not just their abilities, but their opportunities. Real success comes from consistency, not one-time abilities.

For example, Gabriele Oettingen’s research found that students who daydreamed about their goals had fewer successes than those who actively worked hard to put in the hours. Wendy’s selected its advertising agency not for its initial creativity, but because of the team’s tireless, hands-on dedication.

Examples

• Graduate students in New York earning better job offers due to hard work
• Wendy's hiring an advertising agency after seeing their immense effort
• Artists or athletes who turn deliberate practice into mastery

2. Risk-Taking is Non-Negotiable

Grit demands leaving comfort zones to pursue challenges. Playing it safe rarely leads to significant achievements. As one advances in life or career, calculated risks become unavoidable stepping stones to success.

This doesn't mean blindly plunging into decisions; assess situations critically, but don't let fear paralyze action. Taking risks builds resilience and opens doors. Jia Jiang exemplifies this mindset by facing his fear of rejection through adventurous personal experiments.

Jiang's "100 Days of Rejection" project, which became a viral sensation, illustrates how embracing initial setbacks creates lasting rewards. Just like Nick Wallenda walking across the Grand Canyon, daring to leave safety nets behind can push you toward incredible milestones.

Examples

• Nick Wallenda mastering his Grand Canyon highwire walk through calculated training
• Jia Jiang asking strangers unusual requests to overcome fear of rejection
• Entrepreneurs leaving secure jobs to start businesses despite uncertainties

3. Patience is the Long Game

Success isn’t instantaneous; it requires a willingness to stick through struggles day after day. Many abandon their goals when results don’t appear right away. Staying on track means hitting small objectives that lead, eventually, to the big dream.

Van Gogh is an inspiring example of patience. Despite selling only one painting during his lifetime, his dedication led to a legacy of over 2,000 works. Attorney Mike Moore’s years-long fight against Big Tobacco also demonstrated how commitment pays off in the end.

Adopting a patient mindset aligns one’s daily effort toward continual progress, proving that the journey is just as important as the destination.

Examples

• Van Gogh creating priceless artwork even without recognition
• Attorney Mike Moore’s fight leading to a massive settlement with Big Tobacco
• People patiently training for marathons and conquering their goals step-by-step

4. Failure is a Teacher, Not an End

Everyone encounters failure, but resilient individuals learn from these experiences and use them as fuel for growth. Instead of being crushed by missteps, view them as opportunities to adapt and improve.

Oprah Winfrey faced early rejection in her television career. Rather than stopping there, she used feedback to rebrand herself into one of the most recognized figures in media. Eleanor Longden turned her diagnosis of schizophrenia into an empowering journey, earning academic success and helping others.

The essence of grit lies in "failing forward" — taking lessons from every setback and growing stronger. Success isn’t built on avoiding mistakes but in rising from them.

Examples

• Oprah losing a TV anchor job but eventually becoming a global icon
• Poker players analyzing losing hands to win big in future games
• Eleanor Longden overcoming her challenges to advocate for others with similar diagnoses

5. Humility Adds Strength to Grit

Humility, combined with grit, builds a deeper kind of strength. Taking a self-centered, ego-driven approach often limits success. In contrast, those who focus outwardly, admitting where they can improve, develop longer-lasting results.

By helping others and remaining humble about personal achievements, individuals expand their networks, build empathy, and strengthen their values. These practices reinforce resilience and self-motivation.

Navyn Salen is a prime example of grit fueled by humility. A stay-at-home mom who wanted to help African children, she started an NGO from scratch. Her journey of perseverance shows how humility can inspire unstoppable determination.

Examples

• Navyn Salen helping millions of malnourished children by building an NGO
• Teams of explorers working together to achieve seemingly impossible feats
• Successful leaders attributing achievements to their collaborators rather than taking sole credit

6. Grit Thrives on Passion and Purpose

Passion gives meaning to grit. Without a clear purpose, even the hardest workers can lose their spark. True grit flows from aligning personal goals with deeply held beliefs — the “why” behind the effort.

This alignment sustains motivation when challenges arise or when progress feels slow. Famous innovators like Steve Jobs consistently point to their passion as the engine driving their persistence.

Find a cause or pursuit that lights the fire within, and use it to power through temporary obstacles. Great success often follows relentless pursuit powered by passion.

Examples

• Steve Jobs bringing his vision to life through Apple
• Athletes training every day for their love of the sport
• Artists creating relentlessly because of genuine passion for their craft

7. Everyone Can Cultivate Grit

Grit isn’t an inborn trait; it’s a skill anyone can develop over time. By cultivating resilience through practice, focus, and self-discipline, every person has the potential to overcome challenges and stretch their limits.

Practical exercises, like breaking large goals into manageable parts, make grit grow naturally. Setbacks, when framed positively, transform weaknesses into strengths. Captain James Henry’s story of learning to read at 92 shows how the human capacity for grit is boundless.

The lesson here is clear — growth and perseverance are always possible, no matter your past or perceived limitations.

Examples

• Captain James Henry writing his first book at 98
• Adults succeeding in new careers after daring to switch paths
• Students improving grades drastically through organized study patterns

8. Small Acts Lead to Big Change

In the bigger picture, every little step matters. Start small and build momentum. Small, thoughtful goals are easier to act upon consistently, leading to greater accomplishments over time.

Whether it’s writing a page a day, running an extra mile each week, or prioritizing meaningful conversations, consistency in small actions accumulates. Like Navyn Salen, small acts of dedication often lead to extraordinary positive change.

Look for areas in your life where consistent effort will compound, and make steady progress your focus.

Examples

• Writers drafting one sentence daily until it becomes a book
• Marathon trainees adding half a mile to their runs every week
• Building a business by dedicating one task or goal per day

9. Sharing Grit Creates Collective Success

Grit becomes more powerful when shared with others. Teaching or encouraging others to be resilient, motivated, and ambitious cultivates environments filled with mutual support. Communities grounded in shared grit foster collective achievement.

This model is clearly visible in human history, where collaboration often led to survival and prosperity. In modern contexts, workplaces flourish when teammates inspire each other to give their all.

Building grit not only benefits you — it uplifts those around you, creating ripple effects of shared endurance and success.

Examples

• Teams of researchers combining efforts for groundbreaking discoveries
• Villages thriving through cooperative farming and shared labor
• Collaborative student groups achieving top academic results

Takeaways

1. Identify your passion and break it down into small, actionable steps to create a consistent path forward.
2. Embrace failure as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and improve instead of avoiding challenges.
3. Spend time helping others achieve their goals to strengthen your motivations and build meaningful connections.