Grit to Greatness

To develop grit you have to let go of many outside influences and decide to live your own life. Live on your own terms. This is not easy. It’s not supposed to be. 

Easy is the strategy of the masses. That’s why 71% of the people surveyed are unhappy and unfulfilled—and those are just the ones who admit it!

None of the following are easy. If they were easy everyone would be putting them into practice. But the rewards are amazing.

I call these the 4 Precursors to developing Grit:

1. Let go of outside influence and control. This is a tough one. Grit requires that you set your own goals and objectives, above and beyond your socialized conditioning. Let go of what society and friends think are important, and decide for yourself what YOU believe to be important; and what you hold in high value. 

Grit requires that you define and set your own goals and objectives. Whether anyone else agrees with them or not. It’s your life. They have theirs.

2. Let go of external motivation.

Look, motivation comes from outside. If you need it you’re a slave to an external source or input. Inspiration on the other hand comes from inside; and is determined solely by you. When you find your unique gift and genius, and align that gift with your purpose, you’re inspired. You no longer need motivation.

3. Let go of the need for approval from others.

This is a tough one because it’s almost as if we’re hardwired for approval, understanding, and support from other people.

One of the five primary fears for humanity is the fear of loss or lack of approval. 

Letting fear run rampant steals dreams and keep you hugging the shoreline.

4. Finally, you must let go of and forgive the past. 

Lack of forgiveness is heavy baggage that weighs you down. There are three levels that must be forgiven: yourself, others and the situation. 

The grit needed to motor forward and achieve your goals and intentions demands every-single-thing you have. You must forgive—everything. Yourself, others and situations. You don’t have enough energy to carry extra baggage.

The Grit needed to motor toward your goals and intentions demands everything you have. You don’t have enough left over to carry baggage.

Once you have let go of these four precursors (3 externals and 1 internal), you’ve already begun the journey of grit; and you’re well on your way to living a full and fulfilling life on your own terms.

Once you’ve let go of the 4 precursors it’s time to develop the 6 Critical Factors of having Grit:

1. Endurance.

Many think endurance is Grit, but I submit that Grit is a forerunner to endurance.  Grit includes goals, intentions, direction and purpose. All must be present to endure that challenges, difficulties, as well as the gestation period, which inevitably transpires for purpose to be fulfilled.

I see only the goal. All obstacles must give way.

~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Endurance takes a tremendous amount of energy. Therefore, physical, mental and emotional hardiness all play a vital role.

2. Stamina. 

Endurance brings the energy to withstand desolate and difficult periods, and stamina allows it to be sustained for long periods of time. Stamina is what allows the soldier to motor forward on lack of sleep, poor nourishment and little creature comforts. Likewise, the same stamina allows the entrepreneur to pull all-nighters when necessary while keeping his enthusiasm and commitment high.

3. Resilience.

Quickly overcoming adversity demands bulletproof resilience. But this resilience is not required once or twice. It’s required to be developed, strengthened and exercised again and again as the marketplace continues to take swings and offer setbacks. It’s difficult if not impossible to defeat someone who just won’t give up. 

Resilience turns every adversity into a learning process, and the ability to build resourcefulness, allowing the person with Grit to conquer versus quit. Rather than seeing an adversity or challenge as something to be “quickly gotten over with,” or “a momentary hassle to be dealt with,” resilience demands the flexibility to lean into challenges. To act, analyze and adjust and often fail forward. 

4. Aspiration.

To aspirate is to breath. To fill with literal life force and truly live. While it may appear that those with Grit are chasing success, accomplishment and superiority, there is nothing further from the truth. Grit and aspiration are about living fully regardless of the outcome. To aspire to the highest purpose and ability within each of us; and to leave it all on the field. Those with aspiration go to bed nightly tired yet inspired; knowing they have lived and given their best.

5. Dedication.

Dedication is an obligation and a pledge to a calling versus just a career. Once purpose is clear there is no choice—the choice has already been made and the person of Grit dedicates their entire life to fulfilling their calling and bringing their unique greatness to the world.

6. Flow

Much has been written about the flow state. Much research has been conducted. One consistent finding is that when we are totally engrossed in what we’re doing, we tap into a state that is beyond description. No language does justice. It matters little what you’re completely engrossed in, it only matters that it’s meaningful for you. It only matters that you’re literally obsessed.

Many adventure athletes, as they defy all odds and accomplish the seemingly impossible, have described the flow state as, “You know you are kicking ass but you’re not the one doing the kicking.” 

Something bigger than you is working through you versus from you. Sound mystical? It is an extremely high level of connectivity and true spirituality.

One of the biggest lies ever sold is that “the well-rounded person is the happy and fulfilled person.” Absolutely untrue. Those who do great things with their lives are obsessed. The have found what I call their Magnificent Obsession and they give their entire lives to it. 

All great achievements have been accomplished by monomaniacs on a mission

~ Peter Drucker

When you clear out the 4 precursors and begin exercising and strengthening the 6 Critical Factors, you develop Grit.

Life, achievement and most importantly fulfillment, are never the same.