Evidence suggests that grit, perseverance, and a growth mindset are attributes that can be purposefully developed in individuals. According to Angela Duckworth, grit is a combination of “passion and persistence for long term goals” (Duckworth & Quinn, 2009, p. 166). Possessing a growth mindset orientation, or a belief that the brain is “capable of change when faced with challenges,” can lead to the development of grit. Resilience and grit seem to be very similar to each other on the surface.

Resilience, however, is the optimism needed to bounce back from failure. In this lesson, we examine the concepts of grit, growth-mindset, and resilience and explore their relationship to each other. The definition of resilience is: “ The process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress.”

A Growth mindset is the belief that abilities can be developed through “hard work, good strategies, and instruction from others”(Haimovitz & Dweck, 2017)

How to develop Grit:

• Develop both a growth mindset and resilience.
• Conscientiousness: Conscientiousness is one of the “Big 5” personality traits. Conscientious individuals are typically responsible, reliable and highly disciplined.
• Self-Discipline: “Capacity to do what you want to do. It’s knowing how to manage your emotions and thoughts and knowing how to plan your behaviour in order to reach your goals.” (Bashant, 2014)
• Perseverance: Steadfastness and commitment to achieving a goal.

The Importance of Self-Discipline

Everyone says discipline is so important but they never tell you why. 

I will tell you why discipline is so important. It is the strongest form of self love. It’s ignoring what you want right now for something better later on. Discipline reveals the commitment you have to your dreams especially on days when you dont want to. Your future is depending on you to keep the promises you made to yourself yesterday. Discipline when practised consistently becomes ingrained in your character shaping your not only your actions but also your mindset it fosters habits of excellence, integrity and perseverance that ripple through every aspect of your life. Furthermore discipline breeds confidence.  

Knowing that you have the ability to overcome temptations and distractions. It reinforces belief in your own capabilities. I builds a sense of self trust and resilience that allows you to navigate life’s uncertainties with grace and determination. In essence discipline is the cornerstone of self mastery. I enables you to harness your inner potential and channel it towards meaningful pursuits. Its the bridge between where you aspire to be and where you are now. Guiding you on your journey of personal growth and fulfilment. Remember this the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago the 2nd best time is now.

The discipline related to the commitment you made for yourself, focusing on persistence, integrity, and excellence insights, could be termed as personal development or self-improvement. It involves actively working on enhancing various aspects of your character, behaviour, and skills to achieve your goals and lead a fulfilling life. Key components of this discipline may include:

1. Persistence: Consistently working towards your goals despite challenges, setbacks, or failures. This involves perseverance, resilience, and determination.

2. Integrity: Upholding strong moral and ethical principles in all aspects of your life. This includes honesty, fairness, and accountability.

3. Excellence: Striving for high standards of performance and continuous improvement in everything you do. This entails a commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and a willingness to go above and beyond expectations.

Engaging in practices such as goal setting, self-reflection, seeking feedback, continuous learning, and self-discipline can help cultivate these qualities and contribute to your personal growth and success.