Why Grit is your Greatest Strength
Let me start with one of my favourite stories ever: the one of Petra Majdič. She was a professional cross-country skiier from Slovenia who proved that four broken ribs and a punctured lung wasn't enough to stop her from getting the bronze during the Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver.
After skidding on a patch of ice and suffering from a harsh fall while warming up, Petra defied her coach's advice and proceded get through with the qualifications, all the way to the semi-finals. In fact, it was only during the semi-final that one of her broken ribs punctured a lung. But that didn't stop her as she went on and competed on the final. She got the bronze medal.
Despite the excruciating pain that Petra must've felt and the fact that what she did was plain dangerous, she went through with what she wanted the most, which in this case was competing. And compete she did.
Now, I'm not saying that you have to go through extreme physical pain and fatigue in order to accomplish your most wanted goals. However, Petra's story is an example of what can be achieved when you put mind over matter. That is pure grit.
Mind you, she stopped competing professionally after this event. However, she already had a successful skiing career and many wins under her effort. With this, the idea is not that you compare yourself to Petra or her actions, but that we can see a perfect example of human grit.
Some days are hard. It's hard to wake up, do bucketloads of mindless work, lose your keys, face traffic, break a leg while crossing the road. You know, the whole nine yards of things you have to deal with which are, in a way, unrelated to your true potential and productivity.
But, perhaps, these events are really what is making us stronger.
Take as an example the act of cold showers. Among other benefits, they're bound to change your perception of what's comfortable and help your body and mind adapt to less comfortable outcomes in life. It's true.
Many claim that grit is the single greatest predictor of success.
No wonder: you only truly grow, physically or mentally, when faced with a challenge. Adopting a growth mindset instead of a fixed one might also be beneficial when cultivating a mentality of learning and overcoming obstacles.
Grit is what permits you to keep going when the going gets rough. Moreover, grit makes you look at the outcome and not so much the challenge. Remember: mind over matter.
In conclusion, grit also permits you to choose the best possible path: the path that will make you grow and not only the easy one. If you're looking to exceed at a particular sport, for example, it pays off to be perseverant, to not miss your training and to go at it hard.
Get your mindset right, couple it with everything you know about human performance (don't forget about passion and proper learning, eh?) and exceed in whatever you want to.
Learn more about grit with this fantastic piece of work: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
After skidding on a patch of ice and suffering from a harsh fall while warming up, Petra defied her coach's advice and proceded get through with the qualifications, all the way to the semi-finals. In fact, it was only during the semi-final that one of her broken ribs punctured a lung. But that didn't stop her as she went on and competed on the final. She got the bronze medal.
Despite the excruciating pain that Petra must've felt and the fact that what she did was plain dangerous, she went through with what she wanted the most, which in this case was competing. And compete she did.
Now, I'm not saying that you have to go through extreme physical pain and fatigue in order to accomplish your most wanted goals. However, Petra's story is an example of what can be achieved when you put mind over matter. That is pure grit.
Mind you, she stopped competing professionally after this event. However, she already had a successful skiing career and many wins under her effort. With this, the idea is not that you compare yourself to Petra or her actions, but that we can see a perfect example of human grit.
But, perhaps, these events are really what is making us stronger.
Take as an example the act of cold showers. Among other benefits, they're bound to change your perception of what's comfortable and help your body and mind adapt to less comfortable outcomes in life. It's true.
Many claim that grit is the single greatest predictor of success.
No wonder: you only truly grow, physically or mentally, when faced with a challenge. Adopting a growth mindset instead of a fixed one might also be beneficial when cultivating a mentality of learning and overcoming obstacles.
Grit is what permits you to keep going when the going gets rough. Moreover, grit makes you look at the outcome and not so much the challenge. Remember: mind over matter.
In conclusion, grit also permits you to choose the best possible path: the path that will make you grow and not only the easy one. If you're looking to exceed at a particular sport, for example, it pays off to be perseverant, to not miss your training and to go at it hard.
Get your mindset right, couple it with everything you know about human performance (don't forget about passion and proper learning, eh?) and exceed in whatever you want to.
Learn more about grit with this fantastic piece of work: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
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