Grit is often thought of as tenacity or perseverance. The resolve to finish something to the end.
It’s certainly part of it, but there is more.
In her fabulous must-read book (especially if you’re a parent) Grit, Angela Duckworth lays out the case that Grit is more than just sticking to something. There is also elements of Passion and Hope.
Passion is important because whatever is being pursued could take a while. You’ll need fuel to get there. Passion is that fuel. If you’re fired up about something, usually your Why or something that serves it, that fire will provide the energy and will to hang in there through the long haul.
Hope is important to keeping you going through the tough times – which there will be. Hope is your light in the darkness, the warmth when it’s cold. It’s easy to get discouraged and Hope needs to be there to give you something to believe in so you keep going.
Why has this been connected to Accountability?
The way we see it, Accountability only gets you started. Accountability will only get you so far when you start to realize it’s going to be a while.
Grit fills that void. Grit is the fire that gives your decision to change the tenacity and perseverance to finish the job.
Interestingly, it still isn’t the end of the story. Accountability will get you started. Grit will keep you going through the thick and thin. But so far, we’ve only talked about what I can do.
In reality, there are other people in our lives. And when other people enter the picture, we think Empathy does, too.