MINT HILL, NC – What is grit and why is it important? My definition of grit is perseverance with a purpose. It’s knowing where you want to go and not giving up until you get there. Although this quality is not often talked about, it’s one of the several key ingredients to success. It takes grit to achieve long term goals. Talent and intelligence may be able to get you in the door, but grit will keep you there. Grit is the ability to persevere through challenges.

A person who has grit is able to navigate through difficult situations until the end goal is realized. A person who has grit will recognize challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. We are gritty when we are able to face challenges, fail, and try again. It’s through this process of trying that we learn by experience. Grit empowers a person to experience set back and keep on trying.

Psychologist Angela Duckworth gave a  TED Talk on grit in 2013. During that talk, she stated that grit outweighs intelligence and talent as it relates to achieving success. Duckworth says that grit is passion and perseverance toward long term goals.  Although there are several ways to develop grit, parents can begin by discussing goals with their children.  Help them to develop life goals of their own. Help them to understand that everyone has purpose in life. Goal setting coupled with what they are passionate about will give them a sense of purpose. When passion meets purpose, grit is born.