Grit vs. Survival
I live among people whose resilience and resourcefulness are extraordinary, and I am amazed and humbled by what they produce and repurpose daily with limited resources. Whether navigating crowded market stalls, constructing buildings with only buckets and concrete blocks, or commuting in taxis, rickshaws, on donkeys, or by foot, one thing is unmistakable: life here is relentlessly hard. Yet each day, people return to their market stalls, build homes brick by brick under the unyielding sun, and wait patiently for transport along uneven, dusty roads. Their lives are shaped by a need to survive.
Angela Duckworth’s central idea in Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance is that true grit involves a combination of sustained passion and perseverance, both directed toward achieving a long-term goal.[1] Duckworth emphasizes that passion isn’t fleeting enthusiasm but a lasting, devoted commitment to something deeply significant. She writes, “What I mean by passion is not just that you have something you care about. What I mean is that you care about that same ultimate goal in an abiding, loyal, steady way.”[2] As for perseverance, Duckworth describes it as resilience and hard work paired with profound clarity of purpose. Those who embody grit “not only had determination, they had direction.”[3] Reflecting on Duckworth’s ideas, I wondered, “Do I live in a ‘gritty’ country?” And more importantly, “What is the distinction between grit and survival?”
After nearly four years in North Africa, I have observed an imbalance in the psychological assets Duckworth identifies as foundational to grit. These include interest, practice, purpose, and hope.[4] While interest and practice are evident here, purpose and hope are often missing, particularly hope. Duckworth writes, “Grit depends on a different kind of hope. It rests on the expectation that our own efforts can improve our future. I have a feeling tomorrow will be better is different from I resolve to make tomorrow better. The hope that gritty people have has nothing to do with luck and everything to do with getting up again.”[5] Yet, this kind of hope, directed toward a clear, future-oriented goal, is hard to sustain in the face of extreme hardship and limited resources.
In my host country, survival often resembles grit, but it is more reactive and focused on addressing immediate hardships rather than striving toward long-term goals. People here face daily struggles, and their perseverance is aimed at managing the present, not advancing beyond it. While resilience may echo elements of grit, it lacks the forward-looking drive that characterizes true grit, as it does not prioritize purpose or hope.
Duckworth references the research of psychologist Martin Seligman and his ideas surrounding hopelessness (or learned helplessness). His work in The Hope Circuit argues that hope enables people to overcome challenges and learn from adversity, emphasizing the power of agency and future-oriented thinking. Seligman highlights how cultivating hope and optimism can improve well-being, success, and a meaningful life. [6] He suggests people in survival mode may feel that their actions have no lasting impact, leading to resignation and a loss of initiative. [7] In North Africa, survival is the daily reality, and hopelessness often binds people to the present, trapping them in resignation and limiting their ability to pursue meaningful change and growth.
Furthermore, Stuti Shukla, in her Harvard Educational Review article on Duckworth’s Grit, raises an important question: “Can grit emerge in the context of poverty, and can it outweigh its impact?”[8] This question resonates deeply with the lived reality in my host country, where hardship shapes nearly every aspect of daily life. According to the United Nations Development Program, 58.4% of the population lives in multidimensional poverty[9], and an additional 12.3% are vulnerable to it.[10] This pervasive poverty affects not only the material conditions of life but also the psychological capacity to envision and work toward a future. In such an environment, the psychological assets Duckworth describes are often hindered.
While survival is crucial, true grit goes beyond merely enduring the present; it requires hope, purpose, and a future-oriented mindset. Fortunately, psychological assets are not innate traits but skills that can be developed. As Duckworth argues, “You can learn to discover, develop, and deepen your interests. You can acquire the habit of discipline. You can cultivate a sense of purpose and meaning. And you can teach yourself to hope.”[11] This ability to cultivate these qualities opens the door to personal growth and lasting change. It is my prayer for my host country that they break free from the chains of hopelessness and awaken their full potential, driven by purpose and hope, toward lasting change.
[1] Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (New York: Scribner, 2016), 56, Kindle Edition.
[2] Ibid, 64.
[3] Ibid, 8.
[4] Ibid, 92.
[5] Ibid, 169
[6] Martin Seligman, The Hope Circuit: A Psychologist’s Journey from Helplessness to Optimism (New York: PublicAffairs, 2018), Kindle Edition.
[7] Martin Seligman, The Hope Circuit, Kindle Edition.
[8] Stuti Shukla, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” Harvard Educational Review 87, no. 4 (2017): 588-92.
[9] The multidimensional poverty measure is an index that measures the percentage of households in a country deprived along three dimensions –monetary poverty, education, and essential infrastructure services – to capture a complete picture of poverty.
[10] World Bank, “Multidimensional Poverty Measure,” The World Bank, accessed March 26, 2024, https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/brief/multidimensional-poverty-measure.
[11] Angela Duckworth, Grit, 92, Kindle Edition.
About the Author
Elysse Burns
20 responses to “Grit vs. Survival”
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Hi Elysse, Thank you for your excellent post. I am so intrigued by your observations about hope. How do you see people cultivating hope in your context? In what ways can you help them do so?
Hi Julie, Thank you for your kind comment. I wish I could say I have seen a lot of “hope cultivating” here, but fatalism and blame often overshadow any spark of hope. However, I do know a local professor at the university who I believe is trying to expose students to new ideas and encouraging them to try new things. Ultimately, I am still working on growing my connections to see a wider span of hope cultivation. I know it has to be out there!
One way I have worked to cultivate hope in my local friends is to remind them of their agency and worth. I emphasize that they do not have to accept things they know are wrong or things that make them uncomfortable. I can think of two specific examples where my local friends exercised their agency, and their actions made a difference. I believe this instilled some hope in them that they can see positive results from their actions.
Elysse,
Yes and yes. I have been thinking about the hardness and stubbornness of East Africans as I read this book. But, is their daily struggle for survival grit? If so, then is grit really anything special? You nailed it with the concept that hope is required to really have grit. The poverty mindset is a fixed mindset and often simply assumes that God has willed it and so let it be. I wonder if other religions might develop a grittier mindset than others?
Hi Adam, You ask some good questions! If I were basing the idea of grit solely on Duckworth’s ideas, I would not categorize survival as grit. Although it might look similar in some aspects. I might be biased, but I believe the Christian faith is the epitome of grit because of the hope of what will come. I think of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:19: “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” However, we know the ‘not yet’ is coming, but the present still matters. I believe this builds grit. As for other religions, I am not sure about their grit mindset. However, I would be interested to know what they viewed as their purpose and hope.
Hi Elysse, You insights and description of multidimsional poverty put a new dimension on my limited understanding of your host country. In your interactions with people are there opportunities to even touch on any one of the three with those you encounter? I am thinking of educational. Is it even permitted?
Hi Diane, Thank you for your comment and observation. Yes, we can “touch” the dimensions of multidimensional poverty here. For this very reason, we have international nonprofits and intergovernmental agencies galore, creating a slew of additional problems. Actually, my NPO is focused on this very subject. In an attempt to help, we have actually hurt and created what almost seems like an irreparable dependency. But yes, the country wants help to combat its multidimensional poverty. Thus, we have a lot of opportunities to help.
Hi Elysse,
Thank you for your post. Yes, in many parts of the world, surviving the present is grit!
How do Duckworth’s and Seligman’s views on hope and learned helplessness relate to the everyday survival strategies of people in your host country?
Hi Shela, Thank you for your comment and question. I have recognized a very fatalistic mentality here. A specific example I can think of is my language helper. She has a degree in environmental science and sustainability. However, she has not found a job in this field and doesn’t try because there are “no jobs.” She hasn’t even looked. I believe this is a learned helplessness because of the attitude many people have been taught. Ultimately, there is a lack of hope. However, I have witnessed a couple friends who have experienced hope when they embrace their agency and their actions bring about positive change. Until the population realizes they can do something to bring change, they will always remain in survival mode.
Hi, Elysse, thank you for your post. I am in total agreement with you on the idea that in some places, grit is synonymous with survival. How should we apply Duckworth’s grit to these places that survival is prioritize first?
Hi Noel, Thank you for your comment and question. I recognize the people I live amongst often lack hope. I do my best to spread this hope and challenge them to embrace their agency to make a change. Frequently, fatalism prevents them from even trying. They remain in survival mode, and learned helplessness is also a component of this mode. I believe those who do have hope (or Duckworth’s grit) should take responsibility to walk alongside those who don’t have purpose or hope… yet.
Elysse, Here, here! Thank you for this excellent post. I fully agree that grit is not always synonymous with survival. I think grit is synonymous with thriving, and some people can survive and thrive while others cannot.
Agree 100 percent!
Hey Elysse! I saw the title of your post and immediately thought of your context before reading your blog. I know in your context it takes grit to survive. Can you share more of your experience in what you are experiencing?
Hi Daren, Thank you for your comment. I would like to share my response to Julie, as it gives some insight into what I am experiencing in North Africa.
I wish I could say I have seen a lot of “hope cultivating” here, but fatalism and blame often overshadow any spark of hope. However, I do know a local professor at the university who I believe is trying to expose students to new ideas and encouraging them to try new things. Ultimately, I am still working on growing my connections to see a wider span of hope cultivation. I know it has to be out there!
One way I have worked to cultivate hope in my local friends is to remind them of their agency and worth. I emphasize that they do not have to accept things they know are wrong or things that make them uncomfortable. I can think of two specific examples where my local friends exercised their agency, and their actions made a difference. I believe this instilled hope in them that they can see positive results from their actions.
I hope this gives an idea of what I am experiencing right now. Work still feels like its at the beginning stages.
Elysse, in your article, you differentiate between grit and survival, especially in North Africa, where daily challenges can overshadow long-term hope. What strategies can cultivate hope and purpose among individuals in these circumstances? How can communities use their resilience to foster a future-focused mindset that aligns with Duckworth’s concept of grit?
Hi Chad, Thank you for your comment and your questions. One way I have worked to cultivate hope in my local friends is to remind them of their agency and worth. I emphasize that they do not have to accept things they know are wrong or things that make them uncomfortable. I can think of two specific examples where my local friends exercised their agency, and their actions made a difference. I believe this instilled hope in them that they can see positive results from their actions.
At this point, this hope cultivation has been very small-scale, person-to-person. However, I do believe it can happen. It would take entire communities to break free from learned helplessness. We often hear, “We have to change our mentality.” Putting this into practical application has been very challenging and is an aspect of my NPO. It’s something I am still trying to figure out.
Elysse, great post. I was thinking about you and your context and wondering what is the difference between grit by choice or survival. Your post gave me good language to help see the difference: hope. Have you noticed any similarities between people who have a growth mindset in a context where everyone is trying to survive?
Hi Christy, Thank you for your very kind comment. I have a very recent example of a good friend recently hired by a government agency in the city. This is her first significant job position. She went on a recent trip to the country’s interior, and before she left, I shared with her that she has agency and doesn’t have to capitulate to things that make her uncomfortable. I also encouraged her to show dignity to those with lower positions. All of these things are very anti-cultural. She embraced this advice and has seen many positive things come from realizing she has the power to do something. I just told her she has had a growth mindset recently, as she struggled to complete a task at work but responded, “I will try again tomorrow.” How she has handled herself has really been an encouragement to me. I am rambling. Ultimately, I find that those who embrace their agency often have a growth mindset, contrasting fatalism pervasive throughout the country.
Elysse. What a post! The backdrop of many contexts has a fatalism embedded – “whatever happens, happens”. How does learned hope interact with such a worldview? In what ways does grit invite people to move from survival to thrivism?
Hi Joel, Thank you for your comment and questions. I keep coming back to this idea of agency. The people here often don’t realize they can make small changes to improve their quality of life and communities. I have witnessed several local friends embracing their agency and seeing positive results in certain areas of their lives (family pressure remains untouched). However, they realized they didn’t have to accept certain things, and once they learned this, it continued to grow. I view this tiny step as a component of learned hope. Change can happen. I am seeing glimpses of hope in the people to make a more significant impact on society. And it looks like grit!