Angela Duckworth’s Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance explores the concept of "grit" and how it can be developed in individuals. According to Duckworth, grit is the combination of passion and perseverance that enables people to achieve their goals and overcome challenges. She argues that grit is a key predictor of success in various areas of life, including education and sports.
One key concept discussed in the book is the importance of developing a growth mindset. A growth mindset is the belief that one's abilities and characteristics can be developed through effort and learning. Duckworth argues that people with a growth mindset are more likely to be gritty, as they believe that they can improve and overcome challenges, rather than giving up when faced with setbacks.
For a student-athlete, this might mean helping them to see challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than as setbacks. By fostering a growth mindset, coaches and teachers can help student-athletes to develop grit and persevere in the face of challenges.
Another key concept in the book is the importance of setting and working towards long-term goals. Duckworth argues that people with grit are able to sustain their passion and effort over time because they have clear goals and a sense of purpose. Student-athletes can set goals for improvement and success in their sport, and work towards these goals consistently over time. By helping student-athletes set and work towards long-term goals, coaches and teachers can help them to develop grit and achieve success.
The book also discusses the role of adversity in developing grit. According to Duckworth, facing and overcoming adversity can be a powerful source of growth and development. For a student-athlete, this might mean learning to cope with setbacks and failures, and using these experiences as opportunities to learn and grow. By helping student-athletes to develop resilience and cope with adversity, coaches and teachers can help them to develop grit and persevere in the face of challenges.
The concepts presented in Grit are valuable for coaches and teachers looking to help student-athletes develop grit and achieve success. By understanding the factors that contribute to grit and implementing strategies to foster grit in their students, coaches and teachers can help student-athletes to overcome challenges, stay motivated and engaged, and achieve their full potential.
Neil Wattier is a Mental Performance Coach leading science-backed performance coaching for athletes at all levels of sport performance. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona and an active member of the United States Air Force Reserve. He has helped individuals and teams realize their full potential while serving as a coach, advisor, and mentor to business executives, senior military leaders, young professionals, youth and adult athletes, fitness professionals, and faith communities.