In a book published almost 100 years ago called the Mental Traits of Three Hundred Geniuses, some of the smartest and most successful people to ever touch foot on earth are analyzed.
A favorite trait common to this group of smarty pants is the “Tendency not to abandon tasks in the face of obstacles (with) perseverance, tenacity, doggedness.” In other words, carry on.
We love grit. It is the firmness of mind that it will take to persevere through a challenge. At times, we have to clench our teeth and move forward in the face of tough odds. Others will see determination as abrasive (another characteristic of grit) but we see it as just having a job to do and getting that job done. Care for a parent, care for a child, or care for a returning hero are everyday examples of perseverance.
We see this as an American trait. Why? Because, Americans work more than anyone in the industrialized world (According to ABC News). We take less vacation, work longer days, and retire later too. Grit is part of the American diet- we chew it and smile through it. So if you are at a point where the task seems tough, don’t give up and remember you are not alone.
Remember, “perseverance, tenacity, and doggedness” are all traits of the smartest people in the face of a challenge.