University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth defined grit as a “perseverance and passion for long-term goals.”
There are several definitions of grit. For me, it is a growth mindset, a resilience that makes a person determined to bounce back from failures and setbacks. I talked about the growth mindset in my TEDx talk. Most of what I have achieved in my life is because of this unwavering faith and dogged determination to follow through with what I want to do and what I believe in. I do get scared of failing, and I also feel upset when things do not work out as I would have expected them to, especially when I have worked incredibly hard for something. So, resilience is not about having a ‘stiff upper lip’ or not showing emotions. Rather it equips us with tools and strategies to deal with setbacks. People who have a growth mindset truly want to better themselves and think of how they can do something, rather than think of excuses and reasons as to why they shouldn’t.