Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Angela Duckworth

May 2016 · Random House

About this ebook

UNLOCK THE KEY TO SUCCESS

In this must-read for anyone seeking to succeed, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth takes us on an eye-opening journey to discover the true qualities that lead to outstanding achievement. Winningly personal, insightful and powerful, Grit is a book about what goes through your head when you fall down, and how that - not talent or luck - makes all the difference.


'Impressively fresh and original' Susan Cain

Ratings and reviews

Favourite Quote : Without effort, your talent is nothing more than your unmet potential. Without effort, your skill is nothing more than what you could have done but didn’t. With effort, talent becomes skill and, at the very same time, effort makes skill productive . (Chapter 3) Favourite Chapter : The author shares about 3 bricklayers who were asked what they are doing. The 1st says he is laying bricks, the 2nd says he is building a church and the 3rd says he is building a house of god. The 1st has a job, the 2nd has a career and the 3rd has a calling. A job refers to a neccessity of life, a career refers the job as a stepping stone to other jobs and a calling refers to work that is the most important thing in life. Those who view their job as a calling are usually more satisfied with their jobs and life overall. Callings has little to do with formal job description but rather it is the belief of the person laying down bricks if it is something to be done or something that will lead to further success or connects to something far greater. The author advises that whatever you do, you can continually look at what you do and ask how it connects to a bigger picture, how it can be an expression of your deepest values. This implies that a bricklayer who believes that he is laying bricks will someday recognise that he is building a house of god. (Chapter 8) Personal thoughts on the book : This book explores on the ideas on grit. How grit can lead to a successful career and life. It shares about finding your inner grit through understanding your purpose and goals. It shares how outside influence can build grit through parenting techniques introduced in the book. Overall its a great read however i have problems articulating and understanding the first few chapters as the book lets you think for yourself the message that is driven across.

If you want to grow in any aspect of your life -- grit is a must.

can't stop reading it, again and again

About the author

Dr Angela Duckworth is a 2013 MacArthur Fellow and an associate professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. She is an expert in non-IQ competencies, including grit and self-control. A highly sought-after international speaker, her TED talk on grit has been viewed by over 10 million people.

Duckworth’s hypothesis that the real guarantor of success may not be inborn talent but a special blend of resilience and single-mindedness grew out of her upbringing: as a child her scientist father lovingly bemoaned the fact his daughter was ‘no genius’. Duckworth was determined to prove him wrong and spent her youth smashing through every academic barrier. As an adult she became focused on proving her theory and to find out if grit can be learned or cultivated. It was out of this that she created her own Character Lab at the University of Pennsylvania.