Book Review: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

Angela Duckworth discusses the values of talent versus hard work as it applies to various aspects of our lives, such as music, academics, sports, and so much more. Her book is a compilation of years of psychological research on her part to discover the reasons behind success in individuals. The book is divided into three main segments: Part I, What Grit is and Why It Matters, Part II, Growing Grit from the Inside Out, and Part III, Growing Grit from the Outside In. Each section is clear and concise, giving the reader a firm understanding of the concept of grit and how it can be applied in real-life settings.

Duckworth begins the discussion with a case study on the United States Military Academy at West Point. She details the competitive nature of the acceptance process, and the rigorous training schedule to which each cadet must comply. It is estimated that one out of five cadets drop out before completing the training, which begs the question: what determines the likelihood of each person to persevere, or to quit? In exploration of this question, Duckworth interviewed leaders of various fields to find out more about the people who have found success despite all odds. She found that these people “were unusually resilient and hardworking,” and they “not only had determination, they had direction… In a word, they had grit.” Based on these findings, Duckworth formulated what she calls the Grit Scale, a test made up of a series of questions meant to measure how much grit a person possesses. This scale is referred back to throughout her book, and provides a basis for understanding the psychology of success in individuals. Overall, Duckworth found that individuals who performed well on the Grit Scale could be predicted to perform well in the future. Further study shows that grit is a much more accurate predictor of success than talent. Talent, in Duckworth’s view, is merely the potential one possesses to do well, while grit is the actualization of that potential. She argues that while talent counts, hard work and determination are much more valuable assets in achieving one’s goals. Talent and effort, when combined, produce skill. Skill, when practiced, produces achievement.

On the topic of growing grit, Duckworth addresses four important points: interest, practice, purpose, and hope. To begin with, it is important to have an interest in what you are doing. Duckworth advises her readers to foster a passion. Interests do not necessarily manifest right away, as in a film-worthy moment of revelation. More often, according to interviews with grit paragons, passion is developed over time, and after exploring many interests. Discovering interest is only the beginning; it takes a lifetime of development and deepening to turn interest into passion. Practice, or the development of skill, is an important aspect to growing grit. However, the quantity of time spent practicing is not as valuable as the quality of practice. Anders Ericsson, a leading psychologist on the topic of success, concludes that “unlike most of us, experts are logging thousands upon thousands of hours of…deliberate practice.” He argues that rather than focusing on what they already do well, experts focus on their weaknesses. They must set a “stretch goal,” aiming to meet challenges that are out of their reach. In addition, feedback is an important aspect of deliberate practice. Experts want to hear about the things they are doing wrong, so they can fix those issues, rather than receiving compliments for their good work. Somewhere in the process of building interest, we must find purpose in what we are doing. Duckworth defines purpose as “the intention to contribute to the well-being of others.” We, as human beings, are naturally inclined to contribute to the good of the whole, as a matter of survival. Consequently, our grit is partially driven by our purpose in serving others. Hope, in terms of grittiness, is not just a feeling that things will get better, but a resolve to improve our future. Even when we encounter obstacles, negativity, or challenges, the key is to get back up and keep persevering. All of these aspects are essential characteristics in building grit.

Part III, Growing Grit from the Outside In, is all about encouraging grit in the people we care for. In this area, Duckworth concedes that there is not enough research to establish a proven method on how to parent for grit. What she does present, however, gives a helpful guideline that is supported by looking at the parents of successful people. In general, there are two sides of the spectrum on parenting: the “tough love” method, or in other words, establishing high expectations for children and enforcing strict rules with a firm hand, and on the other side, permissive parenting, or loving children unconditionally and allowing them the freedom to make their own choices. Duckworth argues that each side has its benefits. It is equally important to be supportive and demanding, establishing high standards for our children, while simultaneously supporting them in every effort. The concept of encouraging grit in others extends not just to parents, but to all adults who have any kind of influence on younger people. Duckworth advocates that every child should be allowed to participate in at least one extracurricular activity. Ideally this should be a setting that is influenced not by the parent, but by a teacher, coach, or mentor, and equally important, a setting that cultivates grit. Perhaps even more important than signing children up for activities is requiring a certain commitment to said activities. Duckworth’s recommendation is to require at least a one year commitment, and to avoid dropping out when the going gets tough.

Grit covers a wide range of real-life applications, from music, sports and art to business and mathematics. Angela Duckworth has explored many real life settings and personal stories to make her research applicable to every situation. This book is a great read for any person who seeks to better themself, in whatever field they choose. I would especially recommend this book to parents and teachers, and anyone else who works with the younger generation in any capacity. As a parent to two daughters, Duckworth discusses the parenting aspect of grit in a way that is both sensitive and informative. Upon reading, I personally felt driven not only to apply these principles to my own playing and teaching, but also to analyze the way my grit can have an affect on my children, my students, and everyone else around me.