Blessed Is the One Who Perseveres
Introduction
“True Grit,” is a 2010 American Western movie about a fourteen-year old girl, Mattie Ross,[1] who hires a drunken US Mashal, Rooster Cogburn to pursue her father’s murderer, Tom Chaney. Determined to see Chaney brought to justice, in two scenes, Mattie displays remarkable grit, such as when she crosses a river on horseback to catch up with the Marshal and raises the down payment through shrewd horse trading. Ultimately, Mattie shoots and kills Tom, demonstrating her perseverance and unwavering resolve. “Grit is having stamina; grit is sticking to your plan.”[2]
The book, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” by Angela Duckworth, defines grit as the combination of passion and perseverance towards long-term goals.[3] Grit involves maintaining sustained effort and interest over years despite facing challenges, setbacks, and plateaus in progress. Duckworth emphasizes that gritty individuals are distinguished by their ability to stay committed to their objectives and consistently work hard, even when progress is slow or difficult. This concept highlights that success is more about enduring passion and persistent effort rather than innate talent alone.[4]
In her TED talk, Angela Duckworth shared that she transitioned from a management consulting role to become a seventh-grade math teacher in the New York City Public Schools. She later left her teaching career to pursue a path in psychology. Through her extensive research, she identified one key characteristic that emerged as a significant predictor of success: grit.[5] Contrary to common assumptions, it was neither physical appearance nor high IQ that mattered most; rather, it was the combination of passion and perseverance that played a critical role in achieving success.
How gritty is Shela?
I answered the questions on page 55 and took the scale while reading chapter four to find out my “grittiness.” I scored 4.5 overall. My passion score was 7.2 and my perseverance score was 0.8. How odd?[6] Thus, Duckworth claimed that “passion and perseverance aren’t exactly the same thing.”[7] Duckworth explained that passion and perseverance are related but distinct components of grit. Below is a summary as to why she claims passion and perseverance are not exactly the same:
Passion
Duckworth describes passion as the sustained, consistent interest in long-term goals. Passion involves a deep-seated interest and enthusiasm for a particular pursuit that remains constant over time.[8] Passion is driven by a sense of purpose and a strong emotional attachment to what one is doing. It fuels the long-term commitment to an endeavor.[9]
Perseverance
I find it challenging to fully grasp Duckworth’s illustration of perseverance. On the topic of perseverance, I preferred the book “The Resilience Factor: 7 Keys to Finding Your Inner Strength and Overcoming Life’s Hurdles” by Karen Reivich and Andrew Shatte.[10] In summary, according to Duckworth, perseverance is about putting in the consistent effort, hard work, and dedication required to overcome challenges and obstacles. It is the relentless pursuit of improvement and mastery. It includes resilience and the ability to persist in the face of adversity, setbacks, and failures. It is about maintaining effort and focus, even when progress is slow or difficult.
Comparison
“Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck.[11]While not solely focused on perseverance, this book explores the concept of a growth mindset and how it can help individuals persist in the face of challenges and continue to improve.
“The Obstacles In Our Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph” by Ryan Holiday.”[12] This book draws on historical examples to illustrate how obstacles can be opportunities for growth and success. It encourages readers to embrace challenges and persevere through adversity.
Reviews
- Key points from various reviews are generally positive, praising the book for its highlights and practical approach to understanding success:
- The New York Times Book Review praises Duckworth’s ideas about the cultivation of tenacity, stating that her concepts have positively impacted many readers.[13] While the critiques say that the book’s focus on grit might oversimplify the complex nature of success.[14]
Takeaways
- Highlighted that effort and perseverance are more critical to success than talent alone.
- Reminded me that setbacks and failures are part of the journey to success.
- Emphasized grit is a combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals.
- Offered practical advice on how to develop grit, including setting long-term goals, maintaining focus, and cultivating a sense of purpose.
Conclusion
Scripture that aligns well with the themes of grit, passion, and perseverance in Angela Duckworth’s book is James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”[15]
[1] Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, and Matt Damon, True Grit, directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (Paramount Pictures, 2010).
[2] Angela Duckworth, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” TED Talk, filmed May 9, 2013,
https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance.
[3] Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (New York: Scribner, 2016), 8.
[4] Duckworth, 8.
[5] Angela Duckworth, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” TED Talk, filmed May 9, 2013,
https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance.
[6] Duckworth, 55-57.
[7] Duckworth, 57.
[8] Duckworth, 95.
[9] Duckworth, 143-144.
[10] Reivich, K., & Shatte, A. (2002). The Resilience Factor: 7 Keys to Finding Your Inner Strength and Overcoming Life’s Hurdles. New York: Broadway Books.
[11] Dweck, Carol S. “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.” Random House, 2006.
[12] Holiday, Ryan. “The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph.” Portfolio, 2014.
[13] The New York Times Book Review. “The review praises Duckworth’s ideas about the cultivation of tenacity, stating
that her concepts have positively impacted many readers.” Last modified April 24, 2016. https://www.nytimes.com/book-review/grit.
[14] Tabletalk Magazine. “The review praises Duckworth’s research and insights but notes that the book’s focus on grit
might oversimplify the complex nature of success.” July 15, 2016. https://tabletalkmagazine.com/posts/book-review-grit-by-angela-duckworth/
[15] Bible, James 1:12 (NIV).
About the Author
Shela Sullivan
Born and raised on the vibrant Penang Island in Malaysia, I cherish the Malaysian greeting, “Mari Makan!!” which reflects the warmth of shared meals. Since 1996, I have called Oregon my home enjoying the raindrops and the serenity of its beaches. The ocean connects me to nature and energizes me. I am a Wife - Mentor - Traveling Pastor - Sourcing Manager Construction. Favorite Bible Verse: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~ Psalm 37:4~ I reside with my husband, David and our fur-baby Rolo. We share passions for travelling, culture, diverse cuisines, home improvements, classic cars and humor.11 responses to “Blessed Is the One Who Perseveres”
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Thanks for your blog and sharing your own experience, In moments when our perseverance wanes despite strong passion, what practices or disciplines can we implement to reignite our commitment and keep moving forward, especially when our faith or purpose feels distant? How do you personally sustain that balance between passion and perseverance?
Thank you, Glyn, for your questions.
When our perseverance wanes, we can break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks and then celebrate those small achievements. Visualizing long-term success and maintaining a consistent prayer life are crucial. Balancing self-compassion with a persistent drive to move forward helps us pursue our goals with passion and resilience.
Personally, I take a step back and reflect on the initial reasons behind my passion. Revisiting my core motivations renews my sense of purpose. I often reflect on the scripture, “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Shela, your mention of the movie True Grit made me laugh. Thank you for the smile. How do you think we cultivate passion and perseverance in our lives, especially when there are setbacks or when our initial enthusiasm wanes? Also, how does grit play out for women in Malaysia?
Hi Jennifer, thank you for your question. Glad I could make you smile!
When our perseverance wanes, breaking down larger goals into manageable tasks and celebrating small achievements can help. Visualizing long-term success and maintaining a consistent prayer life are crucial. Balancing self-compassion with a persistent drive ensures continued pursuit of goals with passion and resilience. Reflecting on initial motivations and core passions renews one’s sense of purpose, often supported by scripture for spiritual strength. “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I” ~ Psalm 61:2 ~
I come from a matriarchal family where my grandmother was the head. The women in my family are strong, courageous, and determined—grit is in our lineage. Following in their footsteps, all the women in my family attended English-speaking schools. In Malaysia, most women are educated and employed, which fosters independence and financial freedom. My mother, for instance, owns her own pickle business. 🙂
Thank you Shela! I appreciate your comparison and contrast. If you could only recommend Grit or Mindset to someone, which one would your recommend they read and why?
Thank you for your question, Ryan.
My NPO relates to Gen-Z. Therefore, here is my recommendation and why:
“Mindset” explores the power of adopting a growth mindset—the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. This concept is particularly resonant with Gen-Z, who are navigating a rapidly changing world filled with new challenges and opportunities. Embracing a growth mindset can empower them to overcome obstacles, continuously learn, and adapt to new situations.
“Grit” by Angela Duckworth is also a fantastic read, focusing on the importance of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. However, the foundational idea of cultivating a growth mindset can serve as a springboard for developing grit and other essential qualities.
Ultimately, “Mindset” might provide a broader, more immediate impact, encouraging Gen-Z to embrace learning and resilience in all aspects of life.
Shela,
Grit is a television channel that my mother in law watched. It is essentially Westerns. I enjoyed visiting her at the nursing home and just watching a good Western with her. I believe you possess lots of grit based on our conversations, probably more than you give yourself credit for. How have you see grit play out as you adapted to America and American culture?
Thank you, Jeff, for reading my post and for the compliment. Moving to America required me to adapt and overcome numerous challenges, including language barriers and cultural misunderstandings. From an immigrant’s perspective, Duckworth’s book on perseverance are familiar themes. I have learned to persist, trusting in God’s good plan for me.
Thank you, Jeff, for reading my post and for the compliment. Moving to America required me to adapt and overcome numerous challenges, including language barriers and cultural misunderstandings. From an immigrant’s perspective, Duckworth’s insights on perseverance are familiar themes. I have learned to persist, trusting in God’s good plan for me.
Hi Shela, Of the two books you used in your comparison section, do you one more useful than the other in encouraging perseverance? As an aside, as I have gotten to know you over the last year and a half, I have a hard time seeing you as someone who would score low in perseverance. Your perseverance in your work and with this program are encouraging to me. For that I am especially grateful that we are in the same peer group.
Thank you for your kind words, Diane. You inspire me too!
My NPO relates to Gen-Z.
“Mindset” explores the power of adopting a growth mindset—the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. This concept is particularly resonant with Gen-Z, who are navigating a rapidly changing world filled with new challenges and opportunities. Embracing a growth mindset can empower them to overcome obstacles, continuously learn, and adapt to new situations.
“Grit” by Angela Duckworth is also a fantastic read, focusing on the importance of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. However, the foundational idea of cultivating a growth mindset can serve as a springboard for developing grit and other essential qualities.
Ultimately, “Mindset” might provide a broader, more immediate impact, encouraging Gen-Z to embrace learning and resilience in all aspects of life.