Got Grit?

Happy New Year! I am excited for 2018 and hope that you are also. For the next twelve months, I am going to pick a success characteristic to talk about each month. I am going to start the year with Grit. There is a great Ted Ex video by Angela Duckworth. If you haven’t seen Angela Duckworth’s TedEx video watch it here.

Grit. If you want to be successful at work, home and life, you have to have Grit. I have not arrived yet. However to get where I am today, I had to have Grit. Angela defines Grit as having passion and perseverance for a long time.   

One of the hardest years for me personally, professionally, and in my home life was the year I went to school with the Army. At the time we arrived for my 1 year assignment, I had a 3-yr old and a 6-month old. My husband and I knew no one in the state. In my personal life, I was going through a lot emotionally and physically after the birth of my second child. In my work life I needed to study so much more than everyone else because I was most likely the least prepared. In my home life, I was struggling to spend time with the family and adapt to my husband’s work schedule.

That year could easily have been the tipping point to quit. I could have quit. There were several times when I wanted to quit. However, I kept going.

Grit: sustained passion and perseverance.

There will be challenges. Success requires a commitment even when times are difficult. Have Grit.

How committed to your goals are you?  

Do you have Grit to carry you through the challenges?