What is grit?

What is the factor that makes one successful in life? Is it IQ? is it their familiar environment? Or is it just luck? Until this week, I thought that maybe a combination of these factors made people successful in life. But the last lesson changed my mind.

Although I was aware that perseverance is a crucial aspect that can determine if a person passes an exam or gets a job, I hadn't realised how important this concept was. In a video shared in this week's presentation, Angela Lee Duckworth talks about the concept of grit. And what is grit? She defines it as the passion and perseverance for long-term goals. It is not the talent or luck that I always thought was the key factor to success. Grit is how much you want something that you stand up over and over again after you fall until you get that goal.

Many children, teenagers and young adults (me including) are used to instant rewards, to be told that everything you do is great right after finishing. That's why when we fail we crumble, especially in times of stress. I wish I had been taught to be grittier. Because of that, I hope I can instill this idea and way of living in my students.