“When you keep searching for ways to change your situation for the better, you stand a chance of finding them. When you stop searching, assuming they can’t be found, you guarantee they won’t.”-Angela Duckworth
Through my journey of life, there are two fundamental principles that have remained at the core of who I am. These two principles are easily understood, but much harder in practice. Without these two principles, I would not be the husband, father, leader and person I am today. The first principle is having a growth mindset which you can read about in my article ‘Start with the Right Mindset’. The second principle is grit.
Our society places a lot of importance and weight on being intelligent and that you can’t be successful in life without it. Some believe that intelligence is a fixed trait in each person and you can’t be more or less intelligent than you are today. Carol Dweck, Ph.D., in her book Mindset, introduces the fixed and growth mindset concepts. She demonstrates that you can always have a growth mindset; ever expanding your knowledge and intelligence levels.
Angela Duckworth, in her book Grit, explains the game changing element behind the growth mindset. While it is much easier to stay in a fixed mindset mentality, it takes a lot of work and perseverance to live and breathe in the growth mindset. To “Be Great…Today!” though you must keep driving and pushing forward in the growth mindset to become and remain successful no matter what your definition of success is.
Duckworth demonstrates that effort (or grit) factors in twice as much as talent (or intelligence) does (Talent x Effort = Skill; Skill x Effort = Achievement). The grit is what takes you to the next level. Grit keeps you focused on not quitting, and on battling everyday to succeed and improve. Grit is hard to keep fueled so there must be a purpose and passion behind it.
My passion is about making me and everyone around me better each and every day. That passion keeps fueling my grit which has allowed me to get to where I am today. Finding your why and then understanding how and what you do impacts the bigger picture is where you can find your passion. Once you find your passion, you will be able to find ways to stretch yourself you never thought possible. The ‘Three Stonecutters Parable’ is a great example of passion and connecting the big picture that drives their grit to reach their calling.
A man came across three stonecutters and asked them what they were doing. The first replied, “I am making a living and cutting these stones.” The second kept on hammering while he said, “I am doing the best job of stone cutting in the entire county. Look at these perfect edges.” The third looked up with a visionary gleam in his eye and said, “I am building a cathedral for the whole community to enjoy.”
The first stonecutter simply looks at it as his job to make money. He doesn’t have a strong desire to work. He just wants to get paid. The second stonecutter is really focused on the task of making the best looking stone, but he could tire of that easily. The third one has realized how what he does connects to the bigger picture and what the impact does for his community which ignites his passion and will fuel his grit to make a lasting impact.
You must continue to develop and deepen your grit so it doesn’t lose its fire. You can grow your grit with some external help from things like parents, teachers, coaches, spouses, friends, mentors, etc., but most of your grit comes from within. Passion is a big driver of grit, but you also need to develop a habit of daily challenges that keeps you focused on moving forward. You can refer back to my article ‘Set Daily Goals’ for some planning tips.
By not giving up, learning from your setbacks and always focused on moving forward, you will accomplish great things.
Brandon Brazeel, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
VP, Chief People Officer
