You don’t need to be the most talented person in the room. You just need to be the most committed.

In her book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth redefines what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Grit isn’t just about working hard - it’s about staying committed to long-term goals even when things get hard, boring, or slow.

Before we get to the how—here’s what you should know:

Some people may be genetically predisposed to be more persistent or resilient. But grit is not hardwired - it's heavily shaped by how we talk about effort, success, and challenge. Studies show that the way parents, coaches, and leaders frame setbacks and reinforce effort plays a major role in how grit develops.

Whether you're teaching kids or leading a team, how you respond to failure matters. When people are praised for effort - not just results - they begin to see challenges as opportunities to grow rather than proof that they aren't good enough.

Talent matters, but effort matters more - twice, in fact. Angela Duckworth highlights this in her research and it’s an important thing for us to analyze.

That means Achievement = (Talent × Effort) × Effort. The constant is effort. Grit is the multiplier.

In a world obsessed with instant gratification, grit is your competitive edge. It’s not fixed - it’s trainable. And it helps you take ownership, grow through resistance, and stay locked in when others give up.

That brings us to one of the best stories of what grit actually looks like in the real world.

In the annals of sports history, few stories capture the spirit of grit like that of Steve Young and his father, LeGrande "Grit" Young.

From a young age, Steve admired his father's relentless commitment to hard work and consistency. Grit made sure his kids earned their way through effort. When Steve was 13 and didn't get a single hit in an entire summer of little league baseball, his father didn’t let him quit. Instead, they showed up to the field - cold, wet, and empty - and practiced every day until Steve began to succeed.

Years later at BYU, Steve Young started as the 8th string quarterback and considered quitting. He called home. His father’s reply?

“Ok, Steve, you can quit. But you can’t come home.”

That single line changed everything. Steve stayed. He trained. He worked. And he became one of the greatest quarterbacks in football history - College Football Hall of Famer, Super Bowl Champion, NFL MVP.

His story isn’t about talent - it’s about grit. And it's proof that with belief, structure, and perseverance, greatness is possible. You can read the full story below.

The Steve Young stories, quotes, and details referenced above come from his interview with Graham Bensinger here.

Carol Dweck’s mindset research shows that when we praise effort instead of ability, we build persistence, creativity, and resilience. It helps people see challenges as chances to grow, not threats to their identity.

Think through what you will do consistently and how you will take action when you feel stuck or can’t move forward. Having a go-to strategy helps you follow through even when motivation drops.

Accept that in life you will either be about to face adversity, facing adversity, or just faced adversity. Elite performers embrace difficulty as part of who they are. They don’t just endure it - they identify with it, which makes them more resilient in the long run.

Once you know what you care about - clarify where you’re headed. Eliminate distractions. Set stretch goals that are tied to your purpose, not other people’s expectations.

Grit starts with something you care about. Reflect on what draws your attention and gives you energy.

Grit isn’t developed alone. Find mentors, teammates, and friends who will challenge and encourage you. A strong support system reinforces your belief during setbacks.

7️⃣ Reflect and improve

The most gritty people reflect often, they think about how they need to improve, grow, and track their progress.

Grit is the difference between starting strong and finishing stronger.

It’s not talent. It’s not luck. It’s not hype.

It’s effort - repeated.

And the good news? You can build it.

🏆For Premium Subscribers → The GRIT Playbook launches this week.

It’s your science-backed guide to building grit in yourself, your team, and your kids - with real-world tactics, not just theory.

For athletes and performers:

For coaches and leaders:

What I am reading and listening to:

📚 Book: The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John Maxwell

🎥 Video: The Secret to High Performance: 1% Better Every Day w/ James Clear

🎧Podcast: Coach Rick Pitino: A Coach's Guide to Success (with Lewis Howes)

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