The Power of Grit: Rewrite the Rules
Over the last few years, I’ve been increasingly struck by how much people seem to want to avoid personal interaction. It’s something I’ve observed not only in my kids but also in others who shy away from picking up the phone to talk. Instead, they rely on apps or online searches to find answers. While this approach often works, it assumes that the world is static—that what you see or are told is the way things must be. In reality, the world is far more dynamic and reshaping it to align with your goals is challenging but entirely possible.
What surprises me most is how rigidly people perceive the world. Many assume it operates within fixed boundaries, yet life is often more flexible than we give it credit for. Yes, steering reality toward your desired outcomes requires effort and lacks a clear formula, but it can be done. Too many people cling to the idea of “asking the universe” and passively waiting for change when they should be rolling up their sleeves and demanding that change happen. I’ve seen countless individuals grow frustrated because they followed a supposed “formula” for success—only to find that others who ignored those rules surpassed them. A prime example of this is the belief that earning a college degree guarantees a high-paying job or career. In truth, only a small percentage of people end up working in fields directly related to their academic studies.
The key difference between those who succeed and those who don’t often lies in their ability to reshape their environment rather than conform to it. Successful individuals—whether corporate employees carving out new roles for promotion or entrepreneurs spotting untapped opportunities—refuse to accept the world as it is. They find ways to make change happen. Conversely, there are those who feel trapped by their circumstances. While some genuinely lack opportunities to improve their situation, many more mistakenly believe they are powerless to act.
What astonishes me further is how often people undermine their own potential with self-defeating statements like “I’m bad at math,” “I don’t have a green thumb,” or “I’m not handy.” These declarations are rarely rooted in truth. More often, they reflect past experiences: “I had a bad math teacher,” “I haven’t taken time to learn about plants,” or “I haven’t practiced fixing things.” Shifting from “I can’t” to “It’s hard, but I’ll figure it out” is crucial for tackling challenges. What baffles me most is hearing such statements from highly competent professionals—people who solve far more complex problems daily at work than growing a plant or repairing a toilet.
Admitting “I’m too lazy to learn” is harder than claiming incapability, but it’s also more honest. There’s no shame in lacking certain skills; what’s frustrating is when people deceive themselves about why they’re struggling. Acknowledging that effort—not talent—is often the missing ingredient makes improvement straightforward: put in the work, and you’ll get better. Unfortunately, many internalize these false narratives about their abilities so deeply that they sabotage themselves without realizing it. You can often hear this self-sabotage when people talk about their skills—they broadcast their doubts for all to hear.
This brings us to grit, a quality that separates those who overcome challenges from those who falter. When faced with obstacles, people lacking grit say, “I can’t,” while those with grit counter with, “I think I can.” Among the gritty individuals I’ve met, one common trait stands out: they draw inspiration from others’ successes and tell themselves, “If they can do it, so can I.” This mindset shifts one’s perspective from feeling insignificant to recognizing one’s potential as equal to anyone else’s. The difference between these attitudes may seem subtle on the surface but speaks volumes about what someone will achieve.
A friend of mine once said something seemingly paradoxical: “The most boring people are the most interesting.” At first glance, this makes little sense, but upon reflection, its wisdom becomes clear. It highlights how grit often demands monotonous dedication—an attribute others may overlook in real-time. Consider a great author: while readers admire their fame, few acknowledge the years spent honing their craft through tedious writing sessions. The same applies to scientists laboring in labs or musicians perfecting their art through relentless practice and hustle. Success stories often obscure the grind behind them; yet every extraordinary person wakes up each day and grinds.
Those who achieve greatness focus not on distant goals but on what they can accomplish today. They invest time and energy into incremental progress rather than being paralyzed by long-term uncertainties. Each day builds upon the last until their body of work speaks for itself. The real challenge lies in persisting through failures and setbacks—continuing even when progress feels invisible. There’s an old saying (likely apocryphal) that claims 97% of entrepreneurs fail because they quit too soon—a reminder that perseverance often outlasts talent.
At its core, grit isn’t complicated—it’s about refusing to quit today. I once heard a Navy SEAL describe his approach to surviving grueling training: he told himself daily, “I’ll quit tomorrow.” This simple mantra allowed him to endure unimaginable hardship by granting himself permission to imagine quitting—without ever actually doing so. Just get through today; that’s grit distilled into its purest form.
Grit isn’t about being fearless or unshakable. It’s about showing up, even when the odds aren’t in your favor. It’s the decision to try again, to keep pushing, and to do what needs to be done. Because every step you take, no matter how small or painful, gets you closer to where you want to be.
So here’s my ask: don’t overthink it. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take that first step right now, no matter how messy or incomplete it feels. Keep grinding. Keep showing up. The world might not change overnight, but with each day you hold on, you’ll find that it bends, little by little, toward what you’ve been working for.
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