I once asked the director of our program for non-traditional college students what the biggest challenge was for these students. Was it ability? “No,” she said. “It’s their perception of their abilities. They don’t think they’re smart enough. Then they give up because they think they won’t make it.” These students aren’t the only ones in the world who underestimate their potential and the importance of effort. Angela Duckworth cites research that shows that “grit” — perseverance and passion for long-term goals — is an important predictor of success. To a surprising degree, hard work — not IQ or talent — determines the results.
Duckworth, Angela. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner, 2016, p. 275.