Many of us strive each day to perform our jobs well. We go through years of school and get good grades, and after we get into the workforce we spend long nights working to prosper and stay ahead of the game. But the strongest indicator of success is not by being overly talented or having the IQ score of Albert Einstein. It’s by having high levels of GRIT.
By definition, Grit is the raw determination and perseverance to achieve success with any goal. People with high levels of grit are actively identifying and improving on areas of weakness instead of just fine-tuning their strengths. We are all inherently “gritty,” to varying degrees, but finding out how to invoke a fighting spirit takes a little planning and lots of direction. To develop Grit and succeed with any task or project, there are two steps that must be taken in order to lay a foundation for growth..
The first step is identifying Motivational Types and understanding how it affects our ability to stay focused. Intrinsic Motivation is defined as the autonomous feeling of being driven by internal rewards. For someone that is intrinsically motivated, their environment does not influence their ability to achieve a Flow State (or the feeling of “time standing still”). They are motivated by their own set of values and beliefs in order to complete a task or project and do not let outside forces interfere with their dedication. Extrinsic Motivation is defined as doing something in order to get some reward or by feeling pressured to do so due to lack of power, self-esteem, or talent. Those that have high levels of Grit are Intrinsically Motivated, meaning what they do sparks passion inside of them no matter how mundane or menial the task. To become more intrinsically motivated, perceptions must be changed by analyzing current motivations, strategically seeking challenges and goals that increase personal intrinsic motivation, and “forgetting” the expected rewards or recognition associated with the end goal. By becoming Intrinsically rather than Extrinsically Motivated, we are gaining the ability to keep focus and perceive that life is happening “for” us rather than “to” us.
The second step is “The Four Keys to Building Grit.” The first Two Keys break down our resistance to change in order to build a strong foundation, while the second two keys focus on reinforcing good habits. The First Key is Self-Determination Theory, which identifies the three psychological needs (Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness), that must be met in order to increase Motivation and thus Grit. To become Autonomous, behavior must be “self-endorsed,” meaning a person will need to feel they have the opportunity to make choices that they can enthusiastically believe in. Autonomy in the workplace is not always common, but to increase the opportunity for more autonomous choices (as well as increasing competency and relatedness), one must learn new skills, listen to feedback, and establish a good rapport with their supervisor and peers.
The Second Key is Unlearning Entitlement and Learning Independence. Those that are high in Grit know one thing; that rewards are never given, they are earned. Entitlement is the opposite of Grit, and is defined by the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. Shifting the focus to earning rather than getting involves identifying one’s Locus of Control. When life is perceived as happening “for” us (having an Internal Locus of Control), we understand that we have the ability to achieve success by internal factors; having a good attitude, making positive choices, being courageous, putting in hard work, etc. When life is perceived as happening “to” us (or having an External Locus of Control), we relinquish our ability to actualize our strengths and instead let chance, circumstance, or others control our destiny. To become empowered and have an Internal Locus of Control, do tasks that require you to be assertive, practice self-care, and set reasonable and achievable goals.
The Third (Hope Exercise), and Fourth (Emotional Flexibility) Keys will focus on building habits for success through positive reinforcement. The Hope Exercise asks us to make a list of what motivates us, as well as seeking out what our strengths are, how to be optimistic when faced with adversity, and proactively identifying areas of opportunity that can be corrected in the future. Drawing from the lessons learned with the previous two keys, we can begin to seek out ways to be grittier by learning a new skill, or by changing the way we perceive adversity. Make this list as elaborate and detailed as possible! For some that might mean creating a visual “dream board” or having an excel spreadsheet list to “check things off.” After this has been completed, increasing one’s Emotional Flexibility is essential to becoming resilient so we can “roll with the punches” that life will inevitably bring. Calling on the Bounce Back Projects “5 Pillars of Resilience” Link Here:
- Self-Awareness – Knowing what our strengths are and calling on them when the going gets tough,
- Mindfulness – Being present and experience the moment as it happens instead of catastrophizing possible scenarios
- Self-Care – Setting aside time to relax, de-stress, and being present
- Positive Relationships – Making sure care is reciprocated to those that care about us
- Purpose – Knowing one’s morals and values and then aligning with a purpose that fulfills these requirements
Grit isn’t an attribute reserved for only the millionaires, celebrities, or the gifted. We all possess the ability to evolve, no matter our job title, experience level, age, or background. With purposeful planning and action, we can create a life that gives us the autonomy necessary to achieve competence, relatedness, and success. Through the Four Keys, we can tear down our walls of reluctance and entitlement, to alter jaded perceptions that keep us from seeing that life isn’t happening TO us, it’s happening FOR us. Ultimately, we have the ability to change our world, and that change starts from within.