Many people dabble in different activities but don’t stick to them and never develop the expertise that leads to success and achievement. Others find subjects that intrigue them, pursue that interest diligently, master the skills involved, and achieve satisfying and successful results. These people have “grit,” a quality of persistent interest that, over years of practice, can overcome obstacles, distractions, and drudgery to achieve useful mastery in an activity.

According to Duckworth, “Grit is about working on something you care about so much that you’re willing to stay loyal to it” (54). It’s not a short-term crush but a long-term love for an endeavor, an enduring appreciation that pulls a person into the ongoing efforts they need to reach a level of expertise that generates success.

Without grit, the demands of high skill and high achievement will go unfulfilled. Most people believe success comes from raw, natural talent, but studies show that persistent effort is twice as important as native ability. Interviews with very successful professionals, including artists, scientists, and athletes, suggest that no one reaches the heights of achievement without long, hard hours of practice, upward of 10,000 hours over several years.