While talent, education, and IQ are important, grit is the most critical factor to achieve long-term success.
In 2013, psychologist Angela Duckworth took the stage at TED. Through her research at West Point, the National Spelling Bee, schools, and private companies, one characteristic emerged as a significant predictor of success: grit.
“Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals,” she explained. “Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”