Grit: Why passion and resilience are the secrets to success

Good book. Gives a completely new perspective

At the outset I want to tell to those parents and teachers who worry about their lesser talented children. Here is Grit by Angela Duckworth, which is a hope for them. The book is about zeal and hard work in achievement of goal. The author in her research on children found that the I.Q. a gold standard for prediction of intellectual excellence falls short when one works with passion and persistence. In other words, the lesser talented children putting hard work in their studies perform better than the talented children. Her research adds something important to the repertoire of positive psychology, a solid core to achieve a goal in life. It is more substantial than the hollow concept of happiness. Grit is an antidote for those who feel lesser talented; studies show that with hard work and perseverance they can trump the more talented. Duckworth provided a new vision for dropout problem in schools, especially in the developed world. There was nothing wrong with the school and the teachers, rather the problem was the ‘character’ of the students dropping out: disregard for norms and carelessness to work. Passion, Duckworth says, is working toward goal in abiding, loyal and steady way. Grit allows one to be at the top level for a long time, and is accompanied by feeling of joy. Grittier people experience more flow. Let me propose that they develop qualities of people engaging in nishkama karma. One remains in problem solving mode, so improving his/her skill, choosing goals after thorough deliberations. Grittier children, research says, work harder and enjoy it. This is startling, cherishing rewards of labour. More astonishing is the finding that people suffering set-backs, when engage in some work with passion and greater effort, not only are able to bear the pain, they excel from normal people. The hope for these people lies in their expectation that “our own efforts can improve our future.” This finding of Duckworth supports the work of her mentor Martin Seligman, a pioneer in helplessness theory of depression, and today leading the positive psychology movement. Those who are not ready to give up in face of formidable problems, have key to success in their cognition. In other words, it is learning from adversity in life. Above all, Duckworth through her impeccable researches, narrated beautifully in the book, shows that grit allows one feel that “one can really change.” It is a novel way towards “growth mindsets.” If I may conclude, my karma, the effort I put to my work, is my life.

Nice book

Great insights from a psychologist and other great personalities. Thanks

This book isn't something you should skip, if you get a chance to get your hand on it, don't hesitate and just grab a copy, it's worth the read! The author Angela Duckworth has done an amazing work in presenting a comprehensive view of grit with great brevity. This book starts from the basics, as on what is grit, and keeps on moving forward with a series of questions that would arise in any person's mind. I personally liked the way she has written the book, being a psychologist herself, she hasn't filled with this entirely with studies, and data rather it is light read with numerous stories from top athletes, actors, and many people who have worked their way to the top through consistent hardwork or 'grit'. The author has called them profoundly as 'grit paragons'. It is a book you should read if you feel that talent is innate as this book will challenge your views in a way that you might have a change in outlook. Also, you should read it if you feel that talent can be developed with consistent effort as this book will affirm your opinion with stories, studies, and data. Also, by including her own story, a story that anyone will be able to connect with due to its simplicity, I felt the book became more personal, and felt like conversation. So, I would recommend this book to every person whether they are on their path of self discovery and betterment, or whether they are on their path to being adamant, and depressed. It is going to give you perspective towards a fulfilling life, will instill a belief in the power of self, and might spark a flame of grit in you. A big shoutout to the author for writing this amazing book!

Makes and excellent read with deep insights. Well explained and keeps you engaged, unfolding the power of human mind.

Good read, gave a 4 as it gets repetitive

Great book, well documented, eye opening. I wish I had this book when I was 15 or 20 [now I’m 73]. I’ve had a great life and a lot of success, the concepts in this book might have made it easier. I have no doubt that grit played a large role in my successes, but with this book as a 15 year old the development of my grit would have been smoother and sooner.

As expected

Great book. Informative. Enlightening. I have a few problems with it which I've put below. I don't think I'm the intended audience and I hope anyone else who feels like me will read it with some warning. It's an interesting read, but as someone who is neurodivergent (adhd) it was a little discouraging in some parts. The definition of grit from the beginning felt unfair. Basically it described someone who doesn't have adhd. I would also like to understand why certain people have more grit than others or how to go from not having it to having it. Do upbringing, financial position or support networks have anything to do with it? I don't see how those crucial aspects were fully investigated. I think this book is encouraging if you're already a natural achiever and don't struggle with executive functions. Maybe you just need a kick to keep going or a reminder to persevere. I didn't see much about getting through the difficult circumstances in life that you need to overcome before you can even dream of achieving things, like homelessness or unemployment without any support. I think surviving those things is a whole other kind of grit and requires the same tenacity it does to do things considered to be success in the book.

Kaliteli baski. Kusursuz urun.

The Power of Passion and Perseverance is a thoughtful and research backed book that explores why sustained effort and consistency often matter more than raw talent. It breaks down the idea of “grit” in a way that feels practical, using real examples from education, business, and high performance environments to show how long term commitment drives success. The writing is clear and easy to follow, even when it leans into psychology and research. For a leadership perspective, it is especially useful because it reinforces the importance of developing teams, habits, and cultures that value resilience and follow through. It is not overly complicated or abstract, which makes it accessible for everyday application in work and personal growth.