The Secret to Achieving Your Goals

Sustained commitment is required for achieving most any goal. You can set a goal, devise a plan for getting there, and anticipate obstacles, but the most important factor for success is perseverance.

Which individuals are most likely to persist in their attempts to achieve a goal? Those who have “grit.” Grit is characterized by maintaining interest in and effort toward a long-term goal. Angela Duckworth, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, developed a scale to measure grit. Using the scale, she found that grit predicted retention of cadets at West Point and the performance of students in a National Spelling Bee. Grit helped them stick with it despite challenges and setbacks.

Some people are naturally grittier than others, but there are things that you can do to grow your grit:

• Spend time with gritty people – social contagion means that you “catch” the behaviors of those around you. Seeing the resilience of individuals with grit can inspire you to hang in there yourself.
• Read about gritty people – role models inspire us. Learning how other people have persevered despite the odds encourages us to believe that we can, too.
• Pursue a passion or purpose – pick goals that excite you and you find meaningful. You are much more likely to stick with something about which you care deeply. Knowing you are making a positive difference will give you the energy to keep going.
• Adopt a growth mindset – believe that you can improve through your efforts. Focus on the process rather than the outcome. Embrace challenges and learn from failure.
• Ask for support – Tell others about your goal so they can help motivate you and hold you accountable. People who have social support are much more likely to stick to their resolutions.

Don’t let setbacks throw you off course. Grow your grit in order to ensure that you have the perseverance needed to achieve your goals.