Effort Over Ease: Lessons in Trick Shots, Grit, and True Success
In a world where social media glorifies instant success and extraordinary talent, the YouTube group Dude Perfect exemplifies how perseverance and consistent effort are the foundation of their remarkable achievements. 
Known for their fantastic trick shots, they easily achieve the impossible, captivating millions with their seemingly effortless displays of talent. However, behind the scenes lies the truth: each amazing shot often requires an average of 100 attempts before perfection is achieved.[1] This discrepancy highlights a core principle in Angela Duckworth’s groundbreaking book, “Grit,”[2] which asserts that unwavering passion and relentless effort are the true keys to success. This post will explore how talent, effort, grit, and the American cultural milieu of rugged individualism help us create a map for success.
Detriment of Talent
Ductwork highlights a significant bias in our culture concerning talent. As a middle school math teacher, she first recognized this bias when she observed that having talent in math did not necessarily lead to success in math class. She acknowledged being overly focused on talent when predicting who would excel in her classroom. She claims this preoccupation with talent can be detrimental because it causes us to miss other vital factors that help us achieve, especially one that is at least as crucial: effort.[3] Contending that talent alone falls short of explaining why people achieve success, she spent significant time working out a theory of the psychology of achievement. Key to this theory are two equations[4]:
Talent x Effort = Skill
Skill x Effort = Achievement
Duckworth’s theory suggests that talent combined with effort is essential for developing skills. However, having skill alone does not guarantee success; one must actively apply that skill to achieve success. I have recently taken up a new hobby: archery. This idea is evident when I reflect on my experience with archery. Learning to draw a bow and release an arrow requires talent and effort, which together develop skill. I must apply sustained effort to refine and utilize my skills to become a successful archer who consistently hits the bullseye. According to Duckworth, “Effort counts twice” and is the factor that turns talent into success. Individuals who possess grit have passion and perseverance, which are essential for sustained effort. As Duckworth argues, this combination significantly outweighs raw talent when achieving success.
From the Outside In
If grit is a key ingredient for achieving success, a natural question arises: can we increase our level of grit? Duckworth presents two main ways to develop grit, which she elaborates on throughout her book but summarizes in the conclusion. You can cultivate grit from the inside out and from the outside in.[5] She briefly summarizes the external factors, “Parents, coaches, teachers, bosses, mentors, friends – developing your personal grit depends critically on other people.”[6] Elsewhere, she argues that our culture profoundly influences every aspect of our being. “Whether we realize it or not, the culture in which we live, and with which we identify, powerfully shapes just about every aspect of our being.”[7] It seems that our social connections and our culture critically affect the development of grit.
Do We Have the Capacity for It?
For individuals in the United States who are influenced by the cultural framework of Rugged Individualism—an ethos that values self-reliance and emphasizes that personal success mainly comes from individual effort—the development of grit may be significantly affected. While Rugged Individualism can encourage resilience and dedication to sustained effort, it also poses risks of isolation and excessive pressure to achieve success independently. This cultural framework developed over time through philosophy[8] and geography. In his 1893 thesis, “The Significance of the Frontier in American History,”[9] historian Frederick Jackson Turner argued that the settlement of the American frontier was essential in shaping American culture. Although he did not specifically use the term “rugged individualism,” he suggested that the frontier required individuals who embodied this characteristic. Turner noted that the early European settlers transformed into rugged individuals as they adapted to the challenges of the wilderness. He wrote, “The wilderness masters the colonist… He must accept the conditions it furnishes or perish.”[10] This transformation led to a distinctly American identity, emphasizing the unique cultural traits emerging from the rugged environment.
The residual characteristics of the earlier frontier spirit found in rugged Individualism emphasize individual effort, self-reliance, and perseverance. It would seem the American culture is predisposed towards grit. As Duckworth claims, “The bottom line on culture and grit is: If you want to be grittier, find a gritty culture and join it.”[11] However, considering the widespread fascination with overnight success, the perpetual reach for the “Easy Button,” and the recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [12] concerning the widespread human languishing because of a loneliness and isolation epidemic, it raises a critical question about the true nature of grit in modern society: Can we genuinely foster grit in an environment that often glorifies quick wins and individual achievement, while simultaneously neglecting the vital role of community and support in our personal and collective journeys?
If space permitted, I would examine Duckworth’s application of Dr. Carol Dweck’s “Growth Mindset”[13] and its significance in cultivating and showcasing grit.
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[1] Garrett Hilbert and Cody Jones, Brock O’Hurn, Studio 22 Podcast, July 23, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOUk-1aKkQ4&ab_channel=Studio22Podcast.
[2] Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, (New York: Scribner, 2016).
[3] Ibid.,34.
[4] Ibid., 42.
[5] Ibid., 269.
[6] Ibid., 269.
[7] Ibid., 244.
[8] Although dead for over a century, Friedrich Nietzsche, the 19th-century German philosopher, is still a prominent voice in the discussions of human flourishing and rugged individualism. His emphasis on personal autonomy, self-mastery, and pursuing one’s unique potential aligns with rugged individualism. This is explored in the following journal article: https://www.jstor.org/stable/41484422.
[9] Frederick Jackson Turner, “The Significance of the Frontier in American History.” https://www.historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/aha-history-and-archives/historical-archives/the-significance-of-the-frontier-in-american-history-(1893).
[10] Frederick Jackson Turner, “The Significance of the Frontier in American History.”
[11] Angela Duckworth, Grit,245.
[12] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Surgeon General, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, (Washington, DC: HHS, 2023), https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf.
[13] Carol Dweck, Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential, (London: Robinson, 2017).
About the Author
Chad Warren
A husband, father, pastor, teacher, and student seeking to help others flourish.15 responses to “Effort Over Ease: Lessons in Trick Shots, Grit, and True Success”
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Thanks for your post, Chad. I appreciate how you connected this with your NPO. I am curious about the issue of rugged individualism. Montana and Alberta probably have some similarity in this. However, I do wonder if we are seeing a decrease in rugged grit and an increase in individualism in our communities.
How might we foster grit while also fostering interdependence?
Thank you for your question, Graham. Angela Duckworth suggests that cultivating grit is most effective in a culture or community where this trait is seen as the norm. I believe mentorship could be a valuable way to develop grit, along with fostering interdependence.
Thanks Chad. Thinking about Duckworth’s argument that grit is shaped not only from within but also by our external surroundings, how can we as a society shift from glorifying isolated success to promoting a culture that values collective perseverance and mutual encouragement?
Glyn, we can take a lesson from our beloved Man City football club. On the pitch, success is rarely achieved through individual talent alone; instead, it results from cohesive teamwork, shared commitment, and a mutual goal. A player who scores a goal doesn’t just rely on their skill but is often supported by teammates who create opportunities, provide strategic passes, and offer encouragement. A team culture built on trust, shared goals, and mutual support—plays a significant role in fostering grit among its players.
Archery, huh? Way to go! That sounds exciting. Chad, how do you balance the cultural bent toward individual achievement and “rugged individualism,” as you mentioned, with the need for community and support in your journey to develop grit?
Jennifer, I think it has to begin with leaders modeling vulnerability and relying on others. This will help foster a network of support for others to imitate.
Hey Chad thanks for this post and weaving your NPO into it as well.
How does our ‘quick fix’ mentality as a culture make grit more difficult to foster? What first step would you encourage someone to take who is stuck in isolation and individualism?
Ryan, thank you for your questions. In response to your first question, I believe that the impatience of the “Quick Fix” culture contrasts sharply with the patience and perseverance associated with “grit.” Since most products and businesses primarily cater to this “Quick Fix” mentality, it’s difficult to grasp the importance of grit.
Regarding your second question, the first step is to engage in honest self-reflection and acknowledge one’s current state of isolation and individualism.
Hi Chad, When you first arrived at your church you talked about how it had a difficult past and your first step was to work with your staff. This might be a difficult question in light of recent events but generally, have you seen people on the staff persevering through the hard work to help the church flurish?
Diane, thank you for your question. I have observed many instances of staff persevering through hard work, dealing with anxious responses from congregants, and navigating their own emotional journeys to help the church flourish.
Hi Chad, I appreciate your question at the end. “Neglecting the vital role of community and support in our personal and collective journeys” I believe minimizes the elements of hope and purpose that Duckworth says are vital to building grit. What role can the church have in helping to fortify these in our communities?
Kari, I believe the church can serve as a microcosm for the larger culture, enabling us to observe how a support network can propel individuals and communities toward success and flourishing.
Hi Chad, Thank you for this post. I appreciated the quote you noted from Frederick Jackson Turner: “The wilderness masters the colonist… He must accept the conditions it furnishes or perish.” This quote resonates with me as I think of my life in North Africa. As you shepherd, I am curious to know how you have accepted the conditions the position furnishes while maintaining a passion and hope that lasting change can be made. This is a tension I navigate in my own life. Also, good luck with your archery endeavors. It’s a fun sport.
Elysse, as a pastor, I’ve learned the importance of recognizing the realities of my position without letting others define them. By studying the scriptures and seeking guidance from mentors, I’ve acknowledged the challenges inherent to this role. Accepting these realities helps me set realistic expectations and focus on what can be achieved without being distracted by others’ expectations.
Hi Chad, way to bring your NPO into this week’s blog post.
Grit is normally thought of in a positive light, but I am wondering if grit is ever a by-product of individualism and self-reliance? Are there cases in which you would say grit is unhealthy?