As early as 1907, psychology has sought to determine why some individuals accomplish more than others of similar ability. What possesses one person to endure numerous difficulties to complete a task, while another habitually fizzles when faced with adversity?
While some traits such as emotional intelligence, self-confidence or physical attractiveness may be important, one could argue that some characteristics may be essential to success regardless of domain.
So, what personal quality is shared by the most prominent leaders in every field?
What separates the 'winners' from the 'losers' and how can you get some?
Perseverance (a.k.a. 'grit')
Grit entails working toward challenges, maintaining effort and interest over time despite failure, adversity and plateaus is progress. Sound like you? Then you can stop reading ... If not, lets explore the concept a little further to help understand ways to encourage it's development.
The gritty individual approaches achievement as a marathon: stamina is their advantage. Where boredom or disappointment will signal to others that it's time to change trajectory, the gritty individual will stay their course.
Grit & IQ
We often think of intelligence as the best predictor of achievement. However, Howe (1999) argued that perseverance was at least as crucial for high achievement as intellectual ability. Similar studies of in chess, sport, music and visual arts, have found that practice sets aside exceptional performers, suggesting that raw 'talent' may not be enough for ultimate success.
Grit & Personality
Some believe grit overlaps with aspects of personality such as conscientiousness (thoroughness). In my humble opinion, it is a separate trait unto itself. For example, individuals high in their need to 'achieve' will purse goals that are neither too easy nor too hard. The gritty will deliberately set a long-term objective and stick to it even in the absence of positive reinforcement.
The Neuro-chemistry of Grit
It may be hard to see how one can influence personality without psychological intervention. However, each person unconsciously acts daily to change attitudes and behaviours.
When you accomplish a goal, treat yourself to that last bit of chocolate, etc. the body produces dopamine (a.k.a. the 'reward molecule'). It has been known for years now that dopamine production is related to positive behaviour reinforcement. However, more recent research has found that key receptors for dopamine act like 'gateways' that enable habit formation. Why should you care? Because this opens the door to speeding up the formation of good habits such as perseverance.
How To: Become a Grittier You
Using the knowledge that your internal 'reward system' will regulate behaviour by making you feel good when you achieve a goal there are several steps you can take to consciously trigger the release of dopamine, thereby making new behaviours that much easier to stick to:
- The Pleasure Over Pain Principle
As animals, are hardwired to seek pleasure and avoid uncomfortable experiences. Most people see 'perseverance' as an arduous and painful process. To create grit, try reframing your views. Stop interpreting perseverance as a 'drag' and start looking at it as an opportunity to boost your confidence in a feel-good way. Let your new mantra be [INSERT NAME OF TASK] = BLISS. Although laziness may be seductive in the short term, over time, complacency leaves dopamine depleted and you dissatisfied and depressed.
- Play a Game
Start looking for other ways to create reward throughout the day and deliver your much wanted rush of dopamine. Even mundane activities such as puzzles, brain-teasers and simple games can help your brain release dopamine. Try winning a few and see how you feel.
- Believe It
It is important to have a system of belief around the core areas of our lives. By cultivating the belief that persevering to achieve a goal will produce more dopamine, your brain will 'learn' to accept this for a fact.
- Cheer Yourself On
When you achieve a goal tell yourself "Yes! I did it!" - always talk yourself up, not down. Goals not going as planned? Try another dose of psychological reframing. Instead of focusing on the fact that you have yet to make that big lift at the gym you or haven't lost enough weight for the week, look for the positives and reward yourself mentally for the challenges you've gone through to achieve what you have.
- Repetition, Repetition, Repetition
Regular repetition of a behaviour is the one of the most effective ways to hardwire the habit of perseverance. Don't give up prematurely, tell yourself that your goal is within your reach and learn to accept momentary set-backs as a part of life, rather than a reflection of your ability. The longer you stick with a regimen, the less it will be viewed as a 'disagreeable' experience, eventually becoming a labour of love.
References:
Howe, M. J. A. (1999). Genius explained. New York: Cambridge University Press
Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Personality Processes and Individual Differences, 92(6), 1087-1101.
Wang, L. P., Li, F., Wang, D., Xie, K., Wang, D., Shen, X., & Tsien, J. Z. (2011). NMDA receptors in dopaminergic neurons are crucial for habit learning. Neuron, 72(6), 1055-66.
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