When you talk to people who are highly successful, the
main theme that emerges is persistence, some researchers call it grit. Others have called it ‘stick-to-it-ness’.
Whatever name is used, the idea is the same: it is the tenacity not to throw in
the towel!
To be
successful, starting something is simply not enough. The ability to persevere
and be resilient after it has been started is the true stamp of success. It is
the people who stay the course and continue to invest energy in achieving their
goal that are more likely to succeed. This is so valuable for our children to
develop and learn to practice!
It may be
possible to succeed in the workforce or life if you are not highly creative,
adaptive, or do not collaborate well. But if you are not at least moderately
persistent or stubborn, and you tend to quit easily, you are done - even if you
are creative, collaborative, and adaptive! The lack of tenacity is a surefire
killer to becoming successful.
Grit is a
skill set apart from other common success factors, such as luck, good
connections, and family support. While these things also can be predictors of
success, they cannot be developed as one is blessed with them by chance.
What also
makes grit so important is that, unlike other things you often hear about why
people succeed, grit is a skill that can
be learned and acquired. People can learn to be more resilient and less
impacted by their setbacks.
Perseverance
is the ability to keep going after defeat or failure. Adults have the ability
to positively impact our youth by encouraging them to keep trying and reminding
them nothing good comes easy. Remind them not to define each stumble or failure
along the way, as they are only there to make one stronger. If at first you
don’t succeed, then try, try again!
“Success is the result of perfection, hard work,
learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.
~Colin Powell
-Dr. Paula Sissel
[email protected]
Garden County Schools
Superintendent/Elementary
Principal