If you could choose to have one outstanding attribute, what would it be? Would you choose intelligence or creativity. Perhaps charisma, self-confidence or emotional intelligence. Maybe even physical attractiveness or extroversion? Come on, think about it, what one would you choose?
While certain traits may be important in certain occupations, research is showing that there is one trait or attribute that is important in all of them. And that trait, shared by leaders in all fields is grit.
True grit is perseverance and the passion passion for long-term goals.
Michael D. Matthews and Dennis R. Kelly in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology have determined that:
- grit accounted for an average of 4% of the variance in success outcomes, including educational attainment among 2 samples of adults,
- grade point average among Ivy League undergraduates,
- retention in 2 classes of United States Military Academy, West Point, cadets, and
- ranking in the National Spelling Bee.
“Grit did not relate positively to IQ but was highly correlated with Big Five Conscientiousness. Grit nonetheless demonstrated incremental predictive validity of success measures over and beyond IQ and conscientiousness. Collectively, these findings suggest that the achievement of difficult goals entails not only talent but also the sustained and focused application of talent over time.”
So there you have it. It is better to persevere than to be good looking, creative, intelligent etc. So stop frittering away your time reading this blog and get down to work.
So glad I read to the end, because I was going to say, nah, it’s not true grit – we value beauty over all. Thanks for making me laugh. Back to work I go, gritting my (pearly) teeth…
Beauty? You’re probably right. I’m not sure of the effect of causality here though. Does wealth bring beauty or does beauty bring wealth?
Well done Charles – when the going gets tough the tough get going….
When it gets too tough, I’m gone.
Make sure you stay healthy
I just wanted to share this with fellow writers. We all know that sitting behind a desk for too long it may harm us, but how can we make sure we don’t kill ourselves by sitting for too long in front of a computer, at least this is what NY times says, quite scary. Myself I started using this little application (link below) that reminds me that it’s about time to take a break once in a while, I hope it helps you also…
http://www.takeabreaktime.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17sitting-t.html?_r=2&src=me&ref=homepage
Cheers
Stacy