In a world full of instant gratification, it’s easy for teens to become discouraged when things don’t go their way. Whether it’s struggling to get good grades, excelling in sports, or mastering a new skill, many teens give up at the first sign of difficulty. But what if there was a way to ensure that your teen could face setbacks with confidence, persevere through challenges, and come out stronger on the other side? The secret lies in GRIT.
Grit isn’t something that people are born with. It’s a skill—a mindset—that anyone can develop with the right habits. For teens, especially in a fast-paced and demanding environment like school, building grit can be the key to long-term success. And the good news? It’s not complicated or out of reach. By making small changes to their daily routines, teens can strengthen their resilience and cultivate the perseverance they need to face any challenge life throws at them.
Here are 7 simple daily habits that will help your teen develop grit and transform the way they approach their goals:
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Start the Day with a Small Win
Grit is about building momentum, and what better way to do that than by starting the day with a small victory? Encourage your teen to create a morning habit that gives them a quick sense of accomplishment. It could be making their bed, spending 5 minutes journaling, or completing a quick exercise routine.
This small win sets a positive tone for the day and helps them begin with a sense of achievement. It’s also a great reminder that progress happens in small steps, which is at the core of developing grit.
Example: If your teen is preparing for a big exam, suggest they spend just 10 minutes reviewing flashcards each morning before school. It’s a small, manageable task that builds confidence over time.
Set Daily Intentions or Goals
One of the key elements of grit is having a clear direction and purpose. Every morning, help your teen set one specific goal they want to achieve for the day. This could be related to academics, sports, hobbies, or even personal growth. The goal should be something realistic but challenging enough to push them out of their comfort zone.
Having a goal to focus on each day helps teens maintain their drive and stay accountable. It also gives them a sense of purpose, which is essential for perseverance.
Example: A teen could set a goal like “I will read 20 pages of my textbook today” or “I will complete one extra math problem set to improve my skills.” These daily targets help them stay focused and build grit through consistency.
Reflect on Challenges and What They Learned
A core part of developing grit is the ability to learn from setbacks. Encourage your teen to spend a few minutes each evening reflecting on any challenges they faced that day. The key here is to focus not on the failure or frustration but on what they learned from it and how they can do better next time.
This habit helps teens build a growth mindset, which is essential for grit. When they see obstacles as opportunities for growth, they become more resilient and willing to keep trying, even when things are tough.
Example: At the end of each day, your teen could journal about something difficult they faced—whether it was struggling with a class project or not performing well in sports—and write down one thing they learned from the experience.
Practice Consistency Over Intensity
When it comes to developing grit, it’s not about how hard you push yourself once in a while but about showing up consistently over time. Encourage your teen to practice consistency in their daily habits, whether it’s studying, exercising, or practicing a skill like music or art.
By sticking to a routine—even if it’s for just 15 minutes a day—teens develop the discipline that’s crucial for perseverance. Over time, this consistency builds up and helps them stay committed to their long-term goals.
Example: If your teen is learning a musical instrument, rather than practicing for hours once a week, they can practice for 20 minutes every day. This daily habit reinforces discipline and gradual improvement, which strengthens their grit.
Embrace Failure as Part of the Process
One of the biggest obstacles to building grit is the fear of failure. Teens often shy away from challenges because they don’t want to make mistakes or look bad in front of others. As a parent, help your teen reframe their thinking around failure.
Encourage them to see failure as a natural and essential part of the learning process. When they make a mistake, rather than criticizing themselves, they should ask, “What can I learn from this?” This habit of embracing failure fosters resilience and makes them more willing to take on new challenges.
Example: If your teen didn’t do well in a school debate or sports competition, encourage them to talk about what went wrong and how they can improve. Help them see that even the most successful people fail multiple times before reaching their goals.
Surround Themselves with Positive Influences
The people your teen spends time with have a major impact on their mindset and grit. Help them understand the importance of surrounding themselves with friends, mentors, and role models who encourage them to keep going, even when the road is tough.
This habit isn’t just about avoiding negative influences—it’s about actively seeking out people who embody perseverance and who will challenge your teen to be their best. Positive influences provide the encouragement and accountability needed to stay resilient.
Example: Encourage your teen to join study groups, extracurricular activities, or mentorship programs where they can meet others who are working hard to achieve their goals. These connections can inspire them to stay committed to their own goals.
Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results
One of the most important habits for building grit is focusing on effort rather than just outcomes. Teens need to understand that success isn’t just about the final result—it’s about the hard work, persistence, and dedication that go into reaching their goals.
Make it a habit to celebrate your teen’s effort, even if they didn’t get the result they hoped for. Whether they studied hard for an exam or worked on a difficult project, praise the effort and perseverance they put into it. This reinforces the idea that grit is about the process, not just the outcome.
Example: If your teen studies hard for a test but doesn’t get a perfect score, acknowledge the time and energy they put into preparing. Remind them that their effort will pay off in the long run and that every step is a part of their growth.
Grit Is Built Day by Day
Developing grit doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process that takes time, patience, and consistent effort. By helping your teen adopt these seven daily habits, you’re giving them the tools they need to persevere through challenges and stay committed to their long-term goals.
Remember, grit is about the small, daily actions that accumulate over time. Encourage your teen to start with one or two of these habits and gradually incorporate more into their routine. With each step, they’ll be building resilience, persistence, and the grit they need to succeed—not just in school, but in all aspects of life.
By practicing these habits, your teen will learn that the path to success is paved with determination, effort, and a willingness to keep going, even when things get tough.
These habits will not only help your teen develop grit but also equip them with the resilience they need to tackle life’s challenges head-on. With your guidance and support, they’ll learn that grit isn’t something they’re born with—it’s something they build, day by day.