How Grit Can Smooth Things Out
GRIT is a personality trait and style defined as “firmness of character and indomitable spirit.”
This can be expanded to include aspects of perseverance, resolve, and focus – especially during the tough times. All admirable qualities – but how gritty are you?
The following traits, published in a Forbes magazine article in October of 2013, identified these attributes as the foundations of having grit.
1. COURAGE –
This translates into moving forward during uncertain situations and outcomes.
With no guarantee of the desired result, courageous people assess the circumstances, prepare as best they can and take the leap.
Courage is not measured in the magnitude of the challenge but in the decision to take action even though success is not guaranteed. Eleanor Roosevelt is quoted as saying, ” do something that scares you every day.”
2. ACHIEVEMENT ORIENTED VS. DEPENDABLE-
Forbes magazine separates these attributes by stating that dependable people are “steady” in their actions but lack the verve to move beyond just what is required in a situation.
While both traits are considered conscientious, those who focus more on achievement keep their foot on the gas while the dependable types plod forward more slowly. In this case, the tortoise might get across the finish line but the hare wins the bigger prize.
Translation, use your courage to fuel your ongoing journey. Keeping your eye on the prize requires focus!
3. FOLLOW THROUGH: LONG TERM GOALS AND PURPOSE –
This is simply the application of practice and practice and practice. But…with purpose.
Spinning in circles can take practice but never moves us forward. As with the first two traits, achievement takes focus, courage requires resolve and follow through requires keeping at it.
Your purpose could be a major life change, a renewal of commitment to yourself, weight loss, managing a difficult family crisis or setback.
In focusing on your desired outcome, people with grit can get knocked down seven times but get back up eight times.
4. RESILIENCE ( AND OPTIMISM AND CONFIDENCE ) –
This gritty trait is the one that might be the core of success. Along with the belief that one will prevail through the tough times is the experience that proves the belief.
Questions that reveal resilience are:
~ What other tough situations have I had in my life?
~ What did I do to push through that situation(s)?
~ Did that situation ruin me or did I survive it and move on?
Gritty people experience tough things and find the confidence, resources and positive direction to get them to, through and over the bumps.
5. EXCELLENCE VS. PERFECTION –
Culturally, we have been directed to perfection. But, in reality, how often are we required to be perfect? And…what is perfect?
Precision high diving might demand perfection, but life rarely does. Actually, perfection ( or our idea of it) can be a roadblock to achieving our goals as it takes our focus off the desired big picture and draws our attention to unnecessary details.
Excellence, on the other hand, reflects a job well done and completed! People with grit achieve excellent, but not always perfect, results.
Which of these traits do you have? Do you have grit? The most important aspect of having grit is choosing it.
Even if you did not immediately recognize yourself in all, or any, of the above traits, they are all available to you.
Choose your grit, practice the trait and apply it!
Would you like to discover the grit within you? Are you interested in how grit can move you towards the life you desire?
Contact me for a free sample session to begin your discovery of a life with grit!
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- 9 Years as Facilitator for local retiement adjustment group
- Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.)
- Three Master's Degrees (M. Eds) in Learning Remediation, Vocational Education and Administration.
- Certified Family Transitions Coach (Certified Through Coach Training Alliance)
- Active member of International Coach Federation.
- Lifelong learner and practitioner of gracefully applying grit to life's challenging transitions.
Email: Julie@JulieGreen.org
Phone: 208-755-2824
