When it comes to achieving success, many of us have been led to believe that talent is the most important factor. After all, talent makes things look effortless, whether it’s in academics, sports, arts, or even entrepreneurship. However, more and more research shows that GRIT—the passion and perseverance for long-term goals—may be a far more important predictor of success than natural ability or talent.
The notion that grit outshines talent is backed by numerous studies and has sparked a shift in how we view personal achievement. It emphasizes the idea that consistent effort and a resilient mindset are what truly set apart those who succeed in the long run from those who don’t. This article will explore why grit is the secret ingredient to long-term success, drawing on research and real-world examples to support this claim.
Table of Contents
1. Understanding Grit: What Is It Really?
Before diving into why grit is more important than talent, it’s essential to understand what grit really is. Psychologist Angela Duckworth, who is widely known for her research on the topic, defines grit as “passion and sustained persistence applied toward long-term achievement.” Grit isn’t about short bursts of enthusiasm; it’s about staying committed to a goal for the long haul, despite obstacles, failures, or slow progress.
Duckworth’s research has shown that people with higher levels of grit tend to achieve more significant results in their respective fields, not because they are more talented, but because they work harder and maintain their focus over time. Grit encompasses two main components:
- Passion: The deep interest in what you are doing that keeps you engaged and motivated over time.
- Perseverance: The ability to persist even when things get tough, and the resolve to keep going despite setbacks.
In a world that often celebrates quick wins and instant gratification, grit focuses on the value of persistence, resilience, and hard work over long periods.
2. Research: Grit vs. Talent
While talent might make the initial stages of success easier, grit is what ultimately ensures sustainable success. Duckworth’s landmark study at the United States Military Academy at West Point is a perfect example of how grit can outperform talent.
Every year, West Point receives thousands of applicants, many of whom are exceptionally talented. However, despite their intelligence, physical abilities, and leadership skills, many of these cadets drop out during the academy’s rigorous initial training phase, known as “Beast Barracks.” Duckworth and her team set out to investigate what separated those who persisted from those who quit.
Surprisingly, they found that GRIT was the single most significant predictor of who would make it through the intense training. It wasn’t the cadets’ IQ, physical fitness, or even leadership abilities that determined success—it was their determination to keep going despite the difficulty of the training.
In fact, Duckworth found that grit was twice as important as talent when it came to achieving success in the most challenging environments. This highlights how, while talent may help someone get their foot in the door, it’s grit that determines whether they will thrive over time.
3. The Myth of Natural Talent
Popular culture is filled with stories of “overnight successes” and naturally talented individuals who seemingly achieve greatness with little effort. These narratives often lead us to overvalue talent while undervaluing hard work and perseverance.
However, the reality is that many of the so-called “naturally talented” people we admire today have put in an extraordinary amount of work behind the scenes. Take the example of Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. While Jordan was undoubtedly talented, he was also known for his relentless work ethic and determination to improve. After being cut from his high school basketball team, he didn’t give up. Instead, he used that setback as fuel to practice harder than ever.
Similarly, in his famous book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell highlights the “10,000-hour rule,” which suggests that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become world-class in any field. The people who succeed aren’t necessarily the most talented, but the ones who put in the most consistent effort over time.
These examples challenge the myth of natural talent, illustrating how grit and the willingness to practice, fail, and learn are far more critical factors for long-term success.
4. Why Talent Can Be a Double-Edged Sword
Interestingly, talent can sometimes be a double-edged sword. People who are naturally gifted often find that success comes more easily to them, especially early on in life. As a result, they may not develop the resilience or work ethic that those who must struggle to succeed build over time.
Psychologist Carol Dweck, in her research on growth mindset, found that individuals praised for their talent are more likely to develop a fixed mindset. This means they believe their abilities are innate and unchangeable, and when they face challenges, they are more likely to give up because they feel their talent isn’t enough to carry them through.
On the other hand, those with a growth mindset believe that their abilities can be developed through effort and persistence. They see failures and challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, making them more resilient in the face of adversity.
Dweck’s research has important implications for how we approach success, both in parenting and education. When children are praised solely for their talent, they may develop a fixed mindset, which could lead to them giving up when things get tough. In contrast, when children are praised for their effort, grit, and perseverance, they are more likely to develop a growth mindset, which sets them up for long-term success.
5. The Role of Grit in Overcoming Failure
One of the most significant ways in which grit outshines talent is in its ability to help individuals overcome failure. Failure is an inevitable part of life, and how a person responds to it often determines their future success.
Grit allows people to bounce back from failure, learn from their mistakes, and keep moving forward. It’s what makes someone persevere through multiple rejections, failed attempts, or setbacks. Without grit, even the most talented individuals can falter in the face of adversity.
Thomas Edison, the famous inventor, is a prime example of someone who used grit to achieve long-term success. Edison is famously quoted as saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work,” after numerous failed attempts to create the light bulb. It was his perseverance, not his talent, that eventually led to one of the most important inventions in human history.
In fact, studies have shown that people with grit are more likely to engage in “self-regulation” after failure, meaning they are better at managing their emotions and staying motivated. They are more likely to adopt a problem-solving approach, learning from their mistakes rather than seeing them as insurmountable obstacles.
6. Long-Term Success: Grit in Action
The concept of delayed gratification is closely tied to grit and is another key factor in achieving long-term success. People who are willing to forgo immediate rewards in favour of long-term goals are more likely to succeed in life.
One famous study that illustrates this is the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment, conducted by psychologist Walter Mischel. In the experiment, children were given the option to eat one marshmallow immediately or wait 15 minutes and receive two marshmallows. The researchers followed up with the children years later and found that those who were able to delay gratification and wait for the second marshmallow tended to have better life outcomes, including higher academic achievement, better health, and more successful careers.
This experiment highlights how the ability to delay gratification—a key aspect of grit—can lead to more significant success over time. It’s not about getting quick rewards but about staying focused on the bigger picture and being willing to put in the necessary work to achieve it.
7. Grit and Success in the Real World
The importance of grit in achieving success is not limited to academic studies or psychological theories; it is evident in the real world across various fields.
- Entrepreneurship: Building a successful business requires an enormous amount of perseverance, particularly because most startups face numerous challenges and failures before becoming profitable. Elon Musk, for instance, experienced repeated failures with his companies, including early SpaceX rocket crashes and the near bankruptcy of Tesla. However, his grit and belief in his long-term vision kept him going, and today, both SpaceX and Tesla are industry leaders.
- Sports: In sports, grit is often what separates champions from the rest. Serena Williams, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, has spoken about how grit played a significant role in her success. Despite injuries, personal setbacks, and tough competition, her determination to keep improving has allowed her to maintain a stellar career for over two decades.
- Academia: Grit is also vital in academic achievement. A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that students with higher levels of grit were more likely to graduate from college, regardless of their SAT scores or IQ. This reinforces the idea that effort and persistence can outperform natural ability when it comes to achieving long-term educational goals.
8. How to Develop Grit
If grit is so essential for long-term success, how can we cultivate it in ourselves and our children? Fortunately, grit is not a fixed trait—it can be developed and nurtured over time.
- Set Long-Term Goals: One of the best ways to develop grit is to set meaningful, long-term goals that align with your passions. These goals provide a sense of purpose and direction, which can help you stay motivated through challenges.
- Embrace Failure: Instead of fearing failure, view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. The more you practice overcoming obstacles, the more resilient you will become.
- Practice Delayed Gratification: Building the ability to delay gratification can strengthen your resolve and help you stay focused on long-term success. Small exercises, like setting short-term goals and resisting immediate rewards, can help improve this skill.
- Develop a Growth Mindset: As mentioned earlier, believing that you can improve through effort is crucial for building grit. Cultivate a growth mindset by focusing on progress, not perfection.
- Surround Yourself with Support: Having a strong support system—whether it’s family, friends, or mentors—can help you stay committed to your goals, especially during tough times.
While talent may open doors, it is grit that keeps them open and allows individuals to achieve lasting success. The research is clear: those who are willing to put in consistent effort, overcome failure, and maintain their passion for long-term goals are far more likely to succeed than those who rely solely on natural ability.
In a world that often prioritizes quick wins and instant gratification, grit reminds us that the most significant achievements come from perseverance, resilience, and unwavering dedication.
